After three straight tough losses, the Virginia volleyball team headed into this past weekend searching far and wide for a win. It ended up being an all around great weekend for the Cavaliers (17-10), who earned decisive victories over ACC opponents Clemson and Georgia Tech by the scores of 3-1 (25-17, 24-26, 25-18, 25-16) and 3-0 (25-23, 25-18, 25-22).
In the match against Clemson (6-22, 1-15 ACC), Virginia looked strong in all three sets it won, never allowing the Tigers to reach 20 points.
The Cavaliers looked even more impressive against Georgia Tech (17-11, 8-8 ACC), as they played timely volleyball down the stretch, winning clutch point after clutch point. Both the first and the third sets came down to the wire, but Virginia was able to pull through in front of a standing crowd at Memorial Gymnasium.
“We did some really nice things today, and I feel like we are getting back to where we were when we were in pretty good rhythm at the beginning of the year,” coach Dennis Hohenshelt said.
There were many positives to take away from this match, including the way Virginia moved the ball.
“What happens when we are good is, we passed the ball pretty well tonight — our block the last two nights has been as good as it has been for the last two matches in a row,” Hohenshelt said.
However, there are areas for improvement, especially on defense.
“We can hit with anyone in this league,” Hohenshelt said. “The question is can we stop people? We are third in the league in hitting percentage — problem is we are like 14th in what teams are hitting against us and that is not a good formula.”
After a very successful weekend, Hohenshelt said he knows his team must remain focused on the larger goal at hand: making the NCAA tournament.
“That is really the motivation for these kids right now is with two weeks left in the season, they are now playing for an NCAA tournament, and it has not happened since 1999, and so when you have a chance to do that, that should be the motivation for them,” Hohenshelt said.
While the goal of reaching an NCAA tournament for the first time in 16 years is still alive, it will take a focused bunch to get there. Hohenshelt said focus and drive will not be scarce with this group of players.
“This group is a very focused group, a very driven group,” Hohenshelt said. “To me, I am not a motivator for them — their motivation should be to try and win every game, and so I try to train them the best I can.”
With upcoming home matches against NC State and North Carolina, Virginia will need to bring out the same effort and intensity it did last week to carry on the momentum that it has gained.
“To win at home is very important right now — every win is very important for us in terms of the NCAA,” Hohenshelt said.
This upcoming weekend will be a significant test for the Cavaliers, as they take on two formidable opponents: a Tar Heel team that has won nine straight matches and a Wolfpack team coming off of a tight, five-set loss to Pittsburgh.
“[NC State has] some nice momentum going,” Hohenshelt said. “UNC is a very, very physical team and we are going to have to play that way [physical].”
Hohenshelt said his team will need to be prepared.
“Anyone can get hot right now this time of year,” Hohenshelt said. “If we can keep getting with our block and defense and serve tough, that is what we are going to require.”
The Cavaliers will head back to practice this week and gear up for a big weekend.
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