As the Honor Committee continues to debate whether to further define plagiarism, University students continue to debate the Committee’s definitions and policies as well, expressing varying opinions on the types of plagiarism cases the Committee should pursue and the level of knowledge students have about the subject.

Intent — whether an act of cheating was purposeful — especially remains a topic discussed at the Committee’s weekly Sunday night meetings. Though the Committee’s new proposal to alter its authoritative green book hopes to further clarify the definition of plagiarism, Vice Chair for Community Relations J.J. Litchford said the nature of intent also remains an issue that is continually debated among the Committee’s members and the University community.

Under the Committee’s current bylaws, a student cannot be accused of committing an honor offense unless it is “more likely than not” that the student committed the act, that the act is not trivial and that the student committed the act with an intent to cheat.

Many students, however, think that the details surrounding plagiarism and intent need to be explained more clearly.

“Intent is important,” second-year College student Freddie Rose said. “If you’re not plagiarizing with intent, you’re not necessarily violating the community of trust.”

Third-year College student Ashley Moore also said the Committee should only pursue cases in which a student plagiarizes with intent.

“I don’t think some one should be kicked out for mistakenly plagiarizing,” she said.

Students also noted that plagiarism is a complicated honor offense, which needs to be defined as much as possible considering the severity of the punishment given to those who are caught and charged with honor offenses.

“There are some fuzzy areas depending on the background [of an assignment],” first-year College student Lesley Hogg said, adding that there should be a clear list of examples detailing what is unintentional and intentional plagiarism.

“There’s a lot of grey area that leaves students unsure, especially when it comes to paraphrasing,” third-year College student James Linville said.

Some students, however, disagreed, such as second-year Engineering student Anthony Abaroa, who said he believes that all students who plagiarize should be brought before the Committee, regardless of whether or not that student plagiarized with intent.

“Nothing’s black and white,” Abaroa said. “If someone makes a bad mistake, they need punishment.”

Third-year College student Chris Trizna expressed a similar sentiment, while also noting that it may be difficult to recognize whether a student has plagiarized with intent or plagiarized mistakenly.
“Honor should pursue all offenses ideally,” Trizna said, also adding that plagiarism cases “should be a case-by-case basis — you can’t judge whether it’s intent.”

Fourth-year College student Mike Bartlett also agreed with this view.

“In the ideal world you would only pursue people who plagiarize with intent, but I don’t see how you could always do that,” he said.

The Committee plans to start a University-wide initiative to further educate students on the subject of plagiarism to prevent students from committing the act. Currently, students’ main source of education on the subject of plagiarism is the Committee’s green book, which outlines the Committee’s procedures and processes, but students also learn about paraphrasing and proper citations in their ENWR courses, Litchford said.

On the whole, though, most students interviewed thought they are knowledgeable enough to avoid plagiarism.

“It’s something you learn about in middle school and high school,” Trizna said. “Most students know [how to avoid plagiarism] coming in to U.Va.”

Linville agreed, noting that the threat of an honor violation alone should inspire students to educate themselves about plagiarism.

Student opinions, however, varied on the subject of University-wide efforts to educate students about plagiarism. Some students praised the Committee’s efforts to educate the community on plagiarism, while others were critical of what they perceived as a lack of effort on the Committee’s part.

“Professors often provide a guide to citing sources,” second-year College student Kaity Houk said, noting that “lots” of professors are good about reminding students to avoid plagiarism. Rose also spoke out in favor of the Committee’s work, saying that “Honor does do a good job of educating the community.”

Not everyone, however, was as optimistic.

“I’ve never been educated about plagiarism at U.Va.,” Trizna said. “It might not be fair to try students who don’t know what is plagiarism.”

The Committee also is currently working on a computer module that will educate students about plagiarism.

“This is one option out of a universe of options,” Vice Chair for Education Rob Atkinson said. He added, though, that although the Committee is discussing new education ideas like the online module, these plans will likely not be finalized until next semester.

Student Council’s Building and Grounds Committee and University Dining Services recently reached an agreement to extend Wilsdorf Cafe’s hours of operation by two hours until 5 p.m. The new hours will begin today and last until the end of the semester as part of a trial period established in response to overwhelming student support for the idea on Council’s SpeakUp UVA Web site.

Building and Grounds Co-Chair Kate Hartmann said the idea received 85 votes of approval on the Web site, leading Council members to believe that this was an issue of importance to a significant number of students. But officials from Dining Services initially raised concerns about the extended hours, and so the idea of a trial period was offered for consideration.

“They said they wanted to see this happen but … they need to be financially sustainable,” she said, explaining that the cafe will not stay open longer next semester if it does not earn sufficient revenue. The continuation of the extended hours is contingent upon the trial period’s success, Dining Services Marketing Manager Nicole Jackson said.

“We are starting longer hours … to gauge interest and sales,” Jackson said, adding that if revenue during the extended hours is low when officials assess sales at the end of the semester, the cafe will resume its former hours.

Nevertheless, Hartmann remained confident in the initiative, noting that the extended hours will benefit Engineering students.

“It’s about really making it available for these people,” she said, noting that many participants in SpeakUp UVA wanted to extend the cafe’s hours to 8 p.m. Second-year Engineering student Aaron Cardoza applauded the idea to extend the cafe’s hours from 3 to 5 p.m., adding that he would like to see the cafe remain open even later.

“Most places are closed late at night,” he said. “If they could open even longer that’d be nice because dining halls close pretty early.”

Second-year Engineering student Ashwin Katikapalli said he hopes similar University dining areas will follow suit.

“It’d be great if the trend carried over to other places like the West Range,” he said.

If the program proves successful, it may indeed expand to other dining areas on Grounds like the Fine Arts Cafe for Architecture students who stay late in the studio, Hartmann said.

Additionally, Hartmann noted that Wilsdorf had attempted a similar, but unsuccessful venture in the past, noting that the venture may have failed because students were unaware of the extended hours. Dining Services is working, however, to address the problems it encountered in the past to propel the success of the new program.

“U.Va Dining will be setting up table tents, putting up the flyers … they’re going to do a lot of publicity,” Hartmann said, adding that a University-wide e-mail blast also could be forthcoming.

Architectural History Prof. Richard Guy Wilson spoke to the University community yesterday afternoon about the history of architecture on Grounds, as well as the need to preserve Thomas Jefferson’s vision. Photo by Bennett Sorbo.

A community briefing on past and future physical development yesterday afternoon focused on the University’s architectural history and how to sustain Thomas Jefferson’s vision as the institution continues to develop and expand.

Architectural History Prof. Richard Guy Wilson spoke at the event alongside University Architect David Neuman, emphasizing the historical importance of many University buildings. Neuman spoke to the architectural challenges facing University officials at present and in the future, stressing that it is necessary to sustain Jefferson’s original intention of creating an educated American populous and noting that this should be the primary concern when planning new construction.

It is difficult for the University to maintain that vision in the present day when it has expanded from “200 to 20,000 students,” he said. He emphasized that the current focus was on “redevelopment instead of expansion,” and also discussed the inherent difficulties associated with developing new buildings that take advantage of existing infrastructure while not disturbing the natural environment surrounding the University.

The need for redevelopment exists because “the University does need to accept a certain amount of growth [in the student population]” as a public institution, Neuman said. He cited this as the impetus for the ongoing reconstruction of the Alderman Road dormitories.

He also discussed the idea of space conservation and various methods of measuring how efficiently buildings use the land on which they are built, citing the South Lawn Project as an example that makes particularly good use of its space because of its multiple stories.

In addition to Neuman, Wilson delivered a presentation titled “From Village to Grounds: The Changing University Landscape,” which began with an overview of the considerable expansion that has taken place at the University from its founding to present times.

“We became suburbanized,” Wilson said, explaining that as the University grew its student population, Grounds was forced to keep pace.

Wilson also discussed Jefferson’s original vision for the Academical Village, noting that “you might say he does a façade.”

“Jefferson knows the rules, and then breaks them,” he said, specifically citing each Pavilion’s different design as an example of Jefferson’s creative disregard. Later, Wilson surveyed the more dramatic changes and proposals that occurred throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, including the Rotunda fire in 1895 and the subsequent rebuilding of the iconic structure.

The 22nd annual Virginia Film Festival attracted a record 19,000 attendees during its four-day run last weekend — a dramatic increase from the 14,700 that attended last year’s festival. Ticket sales also increased by 87 percent to top $71,000.

This year’s success was partly the result of the breadth of interesting panelists and topics that strengthened the festival’s appeal, Director Jody Kielbasa said.

After the screening of “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington” on Friday, for example, a panel chaired by Liza Mundy of the Washington Post, CNN’s Candy Crowley and University Politics Prof. Larry Sabato discussed the continuing political legacy of the film and how it can still be watched today.

“Panelists like these drew an impressive and attentive audience,” Kielbasa said.

The festival’s strategic timing also contributed to the high turnout, he added.

“It was tremendously helpful, we think, that we weren’t up against a home football game or Halloween celebrations this year,” he said.

Additionally, the appearance of Matthew Broderick also greatly helped foster interest in the festival. Following a free screening of “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” in the Amphitheater Sunday night, Broderick “was immediately surrounded by 500 students who rushed the stage, whipping out their cell phones to take pictures and thrusting posters and DVDs in his face for him to sign,” Kielbasa said. Broderick spent 30 to 40 minutes answering questions and taking pictures, though he intended to stay for a much shorter time.

Star power has long been a means of garnering support for the festival. This year was not the first that the event brought such a high-profile celebrity to Charlottesville.

“The 2006 festival was so well attended because both Morgan Freeman and Robert Duvall did back to back appearances at the Paramount, which obviously increased ticket revenue as well,” Festival Press Representative John Kelly said.

The 2009 festival fell just $1000 short of the 2006 event’s ticket sales record. Festival Director of Operations David Hopper said. He also noted, however, that although ticket sales are a reflection of success, the festival is first and foremost a non-profit event.

“In the case it does make money, the profit goes towards the next year’s Film Festival budget because we budget to break even,” he said.

To reinforce the festival’s goal of remaining a non-profit event, many of this weekend’s events were free or low-cost, including some $1 screenings. These low-cost and free screenings help to ensure that the celebration of film actively engages the Charlottesville and University communities, Kielbasa said.

He said in the past, not all events were free to University students, but this added benefit is something the festival plans to continue to offer in the future.

“This year we made that a priority, and we intend to make all Film Festival screenings and events free to students in the future,” Kielbasa said.

The University Judiciary Committee, in a joint effort with the Office of the Dean of Students, added two new community service sanction locations during its weekly meeting Sunday.

The University’s Facilities Management Department and Parking and Transportation Department are now community service locations that University students may be assigned to when sanctioned by the committee for violating one of the committee’s 12 standards of conduct, UJC Chair Michael Chapman said.

Work for Facilities Management will be seasonal, based on supervisors’ needs and possibly include jobs like raking leaves or collecting trash, Vice Chair for Sanctions Eric Schneiter said. Students will maintain and clean University buses when working for the Parking and Transportation Department, he said.

“We are all about helping to re-educate students in that ‘Yes, you made a mistake, and yes, there are consequences,’” Chapman said. “But in those consequences you are able to give back. That’s something that the UJC really wants [students] to do, to go back and help the community that they may have made a mistake in before.”

In addition to the Office of the Dean of Students, UJC worked with the University’s Center for Alcohol and Substance Education and University Housing to establish the new sanction locations, Chapman said.

—compiled by Bailey Disselkoen

Freshman forward Will Bates received second team All-ACC honors and was also named to the All-Freshmen Team. He led Virginia in the regular season with seven goals. Photo by Bennett Sorbo, Cavalier Daily

Renewing an already deep-seated rivalry, the fifth-seeded Virginia men’s soccer team will face fourth-seeded and defending ACC champion Maryland in a conference tournament quarterfinal match in Cary, N.C. today.

In the conference standings, both No. 6 Virginia (12-3-2, 4-3-1 ACC) and No. 5 Maryland (12-4-2, 4-2-2 ACC) trail the top three teams by only one win.

“ACC standings are pretty important, but the win is I think more important than the standings in terms of RPI and stuff like that,” Virginia coach George Gelnovatch said. “I don’t know if it matters to be seeded fifth, sixth or seventh.”

Virginia concluded its regular season play Nov. 7 with a defeat against No. 20 N.C. State, allowing it to enter the postseason on an eight-game winning streak. After a frustrating early portion of the season, Virginia earned its national ranking with an impressive final month. Senior midfielder Neil Barlow, senior midfielder Ross LaBauex, sophomore midfielder Tony Tchani and freshman forward Will Bates earned second team All-ACC honors, while Bates was also named to the All-Freshmen Team.

“I think we just made it more of an accountability on our half,” LaBauex said. “I think everyone responded well and the result is a run to the postseason.”

Bates leads the Cavalier offense with seven goals, followed by Tchani who has five and Barlow with four goals and five assists. Virginia outshot opponents by a staggering 249-131 margin during the regular season. Four players have recorded more than 30 shots each thus far: Bates, Tchani, Barlow and senior midfielder Jonathan Villanueva.

Meanwhile, Maryland (12-4-2, 4-2-2 ACC) also has benefitted from an effective offense. The Terrapins are led by junior forward Jason Herrick, who has scored eight goals and one assist. In its last nine games, Maryland is 7-1-1 — its only loss coming at the hands of top-seeded No. 3 Wake Forest.

On the defensive side of the ball, Virginia has shut out five consecutive opponents, allowing only seven goals in 17 games. Junior goalkeeper Diego Restrepo is ranked third in the nation with a goals-against average of 0.40 and leads the ACC with nine shutouts.

Maryland goalkeeper Zac MacMath, though, also possesses impressive season statistics and could pose a tough challenge for the Cavalier offense to overcome. MacMath was named a first team All-ACC selection after allowing only 13 goals in 18 games, while recording 44 saves for a 0.79 goals-against average.

Maryland’s last meeting with Virginia resulted in a scoreless tie in College Park on Oct. 31. Although the Terrapins outshot the Cavaliers 18-11, Virginia maintained its composure and did not surrender a goal.

Gelnovatch said he is confident, despite his team’s health concerns: Clutch sophomore attackers Brian Ownby and Chris Agorsor have not played recently as a result of injuries.

“We’re a little bit banged up on a couple guys,” he said. “Hopefully we can get one or two of them back for the ACC Tournament.”

The first round quarterfinal ACC matchup also will provide Virginia a chance to avenge its 0-1 loss to Maryland in the 2008 championship game. Virginia has an all-time record of 26-35-8 against Maryland, which won the three match-ups preceding the Oct. 31 tie.

Senior linebacker Aaron Clark and other Virginia captains decided to donate the team’s game-day meal stipend to Mark Herzlich’s cause. Photo by Jason O. Watson.

Virginia’s game against Boston College this Saturday will take a back seat to something more serious than football when Boston College linebacker Mark Herzlich — who recently won his battle against Ewing’s sarcoma — will appear on the field during the coin toss to collect a check, which will help fund research related to the rare form of cancer.

Together with funds raised by Hoo Crew and Student Council’s Hoos for Herzlich campaign, the money will also benefit Uplifting Athletes, an athlete-run charity that promotes awareness and raises funds for rare diseases on college campuses across the nation. The check includes about $1500 from the Virginia football team’s players, all of whom donated their post-game meal stipend.

Herzlich was forced to sit out the entire 2009 season after being diagnosed with the rare form of bone cancer last spring. Virginia has special meaning for Herzlich, who verbally committed to Virginia before deciding to attend Boston College and who also attended lacrosse camp at the University.

“We have had a particular interest in Mark’s circumstances because at one time we were very hopeful that he would be here,” Virginia coach Al Groh said.

For all involved, Herzlich’s circumstance takes on a greater meaning.

“This is a situation that brings football to the back burner in your mind,” Virginia senior linebacker Aaron Clark said. “It’s tragic to see anyone who is considered in their prime for the athletes in college … to go through a situation where what you work so hard for in your life is taken away from you.”

Throughout the season, Herzlich has received donations from Clemson coach Dabo Swinney, Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis, Orange Bowl officials, Florida State, Virginia Tech and N.C. State. The Boston College chapter of the Uplifting Athletes Foundation has raised more than $81,000.

“I think anytime the rest of the athletic community can step up and help out and offer whatever they can is really big,” Clark said.

Herzlich, who has been certified cancer free since receiving his last cancer treatment Nov. 2, now turns his attention back to football and plans to return for the Eagles next fall. The last time he played a full season, Herzlich was a Third-Team All American, ACC Defensive Player of the Year and a finalist for the Butkus award, given to the nation’s best linebacker.

For several athletes, Herzlich’s story serves as a reminder that life extends far beyond a field’s white lines.

“This dude was fighting for his life, and he’s done that to the best ability that he could,” Clark said. “It’s a testament to his strength and his toughness — his mental ability to defeat the challenges put in front of him.”

Right before football season began, I compiled my top-10 list of the best Virginia football games I had attended in person. Now, with men’s basketball right around the corner, here’s my list for that sport. Before I start, I’d like to give a shout out to the Virginia women’s basketball game against Maryland last year, which I went to as well. The Cavaliers won 89-81 in a great contest and that game would earn a spot in a more general top-10 list. Coach Debbie Ryan gave all she had on the same day she attended friend and former N.C. state basketball coach Kay Yow’s funeral. Ryan’s players came through for her when they beat the No. 8 Terrapins behind 30 points from Lyndra Littles, 28 points from Monica Wright and a double-double from Aisha Mohammed.

I don’t have the same history with Virginia men’s basketball that I do with football, so the games are all home games — mostly from my first three years as a student, though I did attend a few before that time. One of the wildest games I remember from a while ago was a 115-111 triple overtime home-loss to Georgetown on Mar. 15, 2000 in the first round of the NIT. Aside from the triple overtime aspect, my dad and I always talk about this annoying Hoya fan who sat near us and would say “That’s cash” before almost every Georgetown shot. A lot of them went in, too. I’m pretty sure I hated him during the game, but it’s funny to think about him now. Anyway, on to the list.

No. 10: Jan. 6, 2001; Virginia 88 N.C. St. 81

One of a few games I attended during the 2000-01 season, I chose this one not only for its standalone greatness, but also because this was a superb overall year for Virginia, which also defeated Duke 91-89 at home and earned a spot in the NCAA Tournament. Against N.C. State, Roger Mason, Jr. led the Cavaliers with 26 points, including 10 in a row in the second half, culminating in a three-pointer with 3:34 left that tied the game at 73. Virginia was down five at halftime and 11 in the second half but roared back and won with 53 second–half points.

No. 9: Jan. 3, 2007; Virginia 108 Gonzaga 87

The Cavaliers won by 21, but it wasn’t really that close. Sean Singletary posted a then-career high 37 points and Virginia put on a three-point shooting clinic, making a school record 18 three-pointers to completely demolish the Adam Morrison-less Bulldogs. The score was 60-26 at halftime. Enough said.

No. 8: Feb. 18, 2009; Virginia 75 Virginia Tech 61

This win against Tech was especially sweet. The previous year, the Hokies defeated the Cavaliers twice in overtime heartbreakers. Deron Washington’s driving lay-up to win at John Paul Jones arena was especially gut-wrenching. The crowd was into the 2009 contest after just beating No. 12 Clemson three days earlier. Another plus was that bone-headed Hokie Jeff Allen had to sit out after making an obscene gesture toward Maryland fans during a game four days earlier.

No. 7: Mar. 24, 2008; Virginia 80 Old Dominion 76

Yes, it was a College Basketball Invitational tournament game, but the finish was spectacular nevertheless. If Singletary had a curtain call game for his terrific career, this was it. He tallied 22 points and 10 assists, but his late-game heroics were even more memorable. Singletary tied the game at 75 with a banked-in three-pointer with 26 seconds remaining, then stole the ball from Brandon Johnson, rushed down the court and was fouled while making the go-ahead lay-up. Six points in 26 seconds. Wow.

No. 6: Mar. 1, 2007; Virginia 69 Virginia Tech 56

After the season fans endured last year, this game seems like it occurred much longer ago than it really did. Incredibly, it was for first place in the ACC and Virginia played like it, exacting revenge for a 27-point loss to the Hokies in Blacksburg. Unfortunately, the Cavaliers lost on the road in their next game to Wake Forest, failing to capture the ACC regular season title outright. For everything that was on the line in this game, however, a victory vaulted it into the top 10.

No. 5: Mar. 7, 2009; Virginia 68 Maryland 63

A regular season of frustration culminated in a rousing victory for the Cavaliers’ last year. Maryland fans created a Facebook event and decided to invade the student section at JPJ, creating a very hostile atmosphere. I think that fired up the home-crowd as well. Mamadi Diane — who suffered through a subpar senior season — led Virginia in his swan song with 23 points, breaking a 61-all tie with a huge three-pointer and only 39 seconds remaining.

No. 4: Feb. 15, 2009: Virginia 85 Clemson 81 OT

On the day that Virginia honored Singletary by retiring the No. 44, the Cavaliers made the day truly special with a seemingly unexpected win against the then-No. 12 Tigers. Sylven Landesberg scored 23 points — six in overtime — and made the game-tying bucket with 13.4 seconds left in regulation. Four other Virginia players scored in double digits, representing a balanced attack — something it had been lacking all year. Virginia overcame the sharp shooting of Clemson’s Terrence Oglesby — who made five three-pointers — and snapped an eight-game losing streak with the win. And yes, I rushed the court with about 10 other people, but it was still really cool.

No. 3: Mar. 9, 2008: Virginia 91 Maryland 76

On senior day, Singletary’s jersey was retired and he scored 27 points, crossing the 2,000 point barrier in the process. Near the game’s end, Singletary threw an alley-oop jam to both Diane and Jamil Tucker, who kind of combined on the “jam” part. It was a thing of beauty. As a bonus, the Cavaliers dealt a damaging blow to the Terrapins’ NCAA Tournament hopes.

No. 2: Feb. 1, 2007: Virginia 68 Duke 66 OT

Many of my friends with whom I discussed this column topic would have put this game at No. 1, but really, it is interchangeable with the Arizona game described below, and both were mind-blowing games. I think for this game, one only needs to say “the shot,” and Singletary’s game-winning floater in overtime comes to mind. The image of Singletary being able to get the ball over the outstretched arm of Josh McRoberts while almost parallel to the floor is emblazoned in my mind forever. Add the fact that the win came during a great season and that it was against powerhouse Duke simply puts this game over-the-top.

No. 1: Nov. 12, 2006: Virginia 93 Arizona 90

Several factors make this game No. 1: first game in shiny new JPJ and all the festivities that went along with that, a big-time opponent, my first basketball game as a student, the 19-point comeback and a high-scoring affair — this one had it all. Singletary even made a dunk right in the midst of Virginia’s big second-half comeback. I’m sure all of my fellow fourth-year peers hold this as a cherished memory of their college careers. Okay, maybe we didn’t rush the court, but no one really knew the protocol then in the new massive arena or what would have happened had anyone tried. Still, this game, the atmosphere — everything — came together that night to create a truly special memory.

That’s my list. Please feel free to e-mail me at amp9f@virginia.edu or comment on my article with your own memorable game experiences. Hopefully, we can add a game or two to this list as the Tony Bennett era begins.

“I want nothing more than to beat Duke for our seniors,” junior defensive specialist A.J. Cushman said. The team has not defeated the Blue Devils since the 2005-06 season. Photo by Bennett Sorbo.

Coming off a split weekend, during which the Virginia women’s volleyball team lost to North Carolina but swept N.C. State, the Cavaliers return home to face Wake Forest and Duke on Friday and Saturday, respectively.

Virginia’s (11-15, 6-9 ACC) four-set loss to the Tar Heels included disappointing set scores of 17-25, 14-25, 25-19 and 16-25.

“Their offense was better than our offense is what it comes down to,” Virginia coach Lee Maes said.

Although sophomore outside hitter Simone Asque led Virginia with 12 kills and 12 digs for her fifth double-double of the season, Virginia could not manage to win more than a single set.

“The energy wasn’t there for us,” junior defensive specialist A.J. Cushman said.

Not only do the Cavaliers hope to redeem themselves after suffering such a lopsided defeat, but the squad also looks to avenge previous road losses to this weekend’s opponents.

The Demon Deacons (9-17, 7-8 ACC) defeated Virginia in a four-set match 3-1 on Oct. 3, as the Cavaliers lost momentum after taking the first set.

“They have one player, Kadija Fornah, who’s a very talented athlete, carries a big offensive load for them, just as Simone on our team,” Maes said.

Virginia narrowly trails the Demon Deacons in the ACC with a 6-9 conference record, and is looking to gain ground before season’s end. Defensively, the teams also appear closely matched, as Wake Forest has tallied an average of 15.65 digs per set, while the Cavaliers have notched 15.27.

One area in which Virginia may possess an advantage is serving, as the Cavaliers have earned 1.34 aces per set, compared to the Deacons’ 0.89.

In the first match-up against Wake Forest, sophomore middle Carlin Salmon denied seven Virginia attacks. This time, the Cavaliers — especially standout player Asque — will need to exercise caution when attacking the net in Salmon’s vicinity.

After battling Wake Forest, Virginia will face Duke on Saturday, which will be senior night for the Cavaliers. The Cavaliers have not defeated the Blue Devils (22-5, 12-3 ACC) since the 2005-06 season. That year, the teams split their two matchups.

“I want nothing more than to beat Duke for our seniors,” Cushman said.

Duke is also second in the conference standings, trailing Florida State. In Virginia and Duke’s first matchup earlier this season, the Blue Devils swept all three sets by a score of 25-20 in each.

In addition to its strong record, Duke also boasts the lowest opponent hitting percentage in the ACC. Teams that play the Blue Devils only connect on an average of 16 percent of their attacks.

“It’s going to be our last home match,” Cushman said. “The fire better be there.”