After starting the season 6-0, the Virginia volleyball team has lost five of its last six matches, including two defeats this past weekend at the VCU Invitational.
The Cavaliers lost to Ball State 3-0 (23-25, 22-25, 24-26) Friday before splitting a doubleheader Saturday. Virginia won the early match against East Tennessee State 3-1 (23-25, 25-22, 25-15, 25-22) to break a four-match losing streak, but then lost to tournament host VCU 3-2 (21-25, 23-25, 26-24, 26-24, 17-19).
The Cavaliers served 10 aces in the first match against Ball State, though they also allowed the Cardinals to serve nine and dominate all other aspects of the game. Senior outside hitter Tori Janowski served six of Virginia’s aces, becoming the 19th Cavalier to do so in program history. Janowski led the team with nine kills, while the Cardinals had three players with 10 kills.
Saturday morning, the Cavalier offense was able to hit better than .300 against East Tennessee State for the first time in four matches, momentarily halting their losing skid. Janowski lead the team with 20 kills and also recorded 13 digs. Sophomore outside hitter Haley Kole added 17 kills.
Janowski had another double-double against VCU, recording 24 kills and 19 digs, and was named to the All-Tournament team for her efforts throughout the weekend. Still, the Cavaliers were not able to come back from a two-set deficit and remain winless in five-setters this season. Janowski added seven blocks in a match in which both teams reached double-digit blocks, including 19.5 for the Rams.
Virginia senior middle hitter Morgan Blair added a career-high nine blocks, while sophomore defensive specialist Karlie Suber also recorded a career high with 18 digs.
Neither team performed exceptionally well in terms of overall hitting percentage, but VCU was able to hit .480 compared to the Cavaliers’ .258 in the decisive fifth set to take the match and earn a tournament sweep.
The Cavaliers will travel to Liberty Tuesday to play their first midweek game of the season before returning home to open their ACC schedule against Clemson and Wake Forest on Friday and Saturday, respectively.
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