Field Hockey
What: Virginia vs. Duke
Where: Durham, N.C.
When: Friday, 6 p.m.
The Skinny: After another rocky weekend in which the Cavaliers went 1-1, first beating Rutgers and then losing against Delaware, No. 11 Virginia (2-2, 0-0 ACC) will resume play Friday against Duke.
The Cavaliers will play a tough opponent in the No. 2 Blue Devils (4-0, 0-0 ACC). The game will be the ACC opener for both teams. After only scoring 3 goals in the last two games despite taking 48 shots, Virginia will need to be more clinical against a stout Duke defense that has only conceded 6 goals thus far.
The Blue Devils will also pose a huge offensive threat against a Cavalier team struggling defensively. Duke has already scored 16 goals this year, averaging four a game.
Virginia will be looking for a statement win after a tumultuous start.
—compiled by Tysen Tresness
Volleyball
What: Kentucky Bluegrass Battle
Where: Lexington, Ky.
When: Friday, 5 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m. and 5 p.m.
The Skinny: The Virginia volleyball team followed up its strong 2-1 start to the 2016 season with a disappointing 1-2 performance at the LSU Tiger Classic last weekend. The Cavaliers sit at an even 3-3 to begin their third tournament of the season, where they look to build a win streak in Lexington, Ky. at the Bluegrass Battle. The team will take on Saint Louis Friday before taking on Kentucky — the host team — and Marquette Saturday.
Virginia’s opponents this weekend have had mixed success thus far this season. Saint Louis, the team’s first opponent, has struggled to a 1-6 record in its first two weeks of play and hasn’t looked very competitive in its two tournaments, only winning five sets in six tournament matches.
The Wildcats are the team at the tournament most comparable to the Cavaliers in the tournament. They are also 3-3 — at times looking dominant in straight set victories — but also struggling to straight set losses in multiple matches.
Virginia’s final opponent, Marquette, has been the most impressive thus far after building a 4-2 record, winning the first two matches of each tournament they have attended.
The Cavaliers will have to steadily improve over the weekend to come out of the Bluegrass Battle with a winning record as non-conference play winds down. In losses against Southern Missouri and Connecticut last weekend, the Cavaliers were unable to win a set, showing that they will have to improve against top competition before they begin their tough ACC slate.
—compiled by Alec Dougherty
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