Competing at Bender Arena in the nation’s capital, the Virginia volleyball team posted a trio of victories Friday and Saturday at the American University Classic. The Cavaliers (8-3) rolled against UMBC and William & Mary before rallying from two sets down to top tournament-host American in five sets.
Junior defensive specialist Lexi Riccolo earned tournament MVP honors after racking up 47 digs, six aces and nine assists on the weekend. The St. Francis alum matched her career high with 25 digs in Saturday’s finale against American (8-5).
Senior middle hitter Natalie Bausback and junior outside hitter Haley Kole also garnered all-tournament recognition. Already honored at the Cavalier Classic and the Crimson-White Tournament, Bausback posted a 17-kill, 14-dig double-double against the Eagles. Kole, meanwhile, served up three aces Friday afternoon against UMBC (5-8).
Virginia’s win against UMBC gave coach Dennis Hohenshelt 50 victories in his three-plus seasons on the Cavalier bench. Registering a season-high .306 hitting percentage and winning the kills battle 40-21, Virginia yielded just 42 points all match.
Fifteen Cavaliers received playing time against the Retrievers, including sophomore outside hitter Krystal Ejesieme and freshman defensive specialist Coral Kazaroff, who made their Virginia debuts.
The Cavaliers sustained the momentum Saturday afternoon against the Tribe (6-7), prevailing in three tight sets behind a season-high .322 attack percentage. Senior setter Lauren Fuller dished out 32 assists, and freshman outside hitter Harley Sebastian set a career high with five kills.
Saturday night, Virginia came from behind to clip the Eagles in five sets. A team effort boosted Virginia, as the Cavaliers came up with big performances up and down the lineup. Senior outside hitter Kayla Sears, Bausback and freshman middle hitter Anna Walsh combined for 51 kills, while Fuller handed out a career-high 58 assists. Kole added 12 kills, and Riccolo paced the defense.
Virginia travels to Durham and Winston-Salem, N.C. this weekend for its first ACC matches of the season. The Cavaliers take on Duke Friday at 6:30 p.m. and Wake Forest 24 hours later.
Read More
Virginia softball drops road rematch against Virginia Tech
By Emory Huffman | 7 hours agoAs Virginia moves through the final week of the regular season, it is certainly critical that its pitching staff maintains the same dominance they have shown throughout the season.
Haunted by 2023 defeat, Virginia gets Notre Dame rematch
By Michael Liebermann | 17 hours agoAgainst a bitter rival, Virginia has an opportunity to forge a victorious new chapter in lacrosse history.
No. 4 women’s tennis makes fourth-ever ACC Championship match, falls to No. 5 North Carolina
By Grace Gould | YesterdayFor the fourth time in its history, No. 4 Virginia women’s tennis made it to the ACC Championship match, defeating No. 28 Notre Dame and No. 23 Florida State en route to its finals appearance.
