Season after season, the Virginia women's volleyball team wallowed in obscurity. Before the arrival of coach Melissa Aldrich Shelton, the team was a perennial basement dweller in the ACC. Even after a few years under her direction and a pair of laudable seasons, the team still finished in the bottom half of the league, playing before modest crowds at Memorial Gym. But now, it looks as though the team's fortunes are turning around.
After an inaugural appearance in the NCAA tournament and a record-breaking season in 1998, the Cavaliers are well on their way to working themselves into the national spotlight and grabbing the attention of Virginia sports fans. Along with last year's breakthrough 26-8 record, Virginia hopes that moving its games out of Memorial Gym and into University Hall will attract fans and bring excitement to a squad that has been disappointing in the past.
The first women's volleyball game in U-Hall is the team's opener against Virginia Tech tonight at 7:00 p.m.
"It's a big step up for the team," fourth-year setter Mary Frances Scott said. "It's almost like saying, 'We're recognizing the volleyball program as a team on the rise.'"
Ushering the team onto the new home court will be one of its strongest line-ups ever. Aldrich Shelton returns five starters from the 1998 squad that set a school record with 12 ACC wins. The only significant losses from last year's team are the graduations of second-year All-ACC outside hitter Claire Folga and defensive specialist Amanda Wells.
Meanwhile, fourth-year middle blocker Jessica Parsons returns as a First-Team All-ACC and team Player of the Year selection last season. She leads an experienced front line that includes third-years Andrea Fischer and Deanna Zwarich, who both collected over 300 kills last season.
The Cavs' backline may not be as firmly entrenched as its blockers, but is expected to keep Virginia in contests with key digs and strong passing.
Leading the line will be Scott, already the Cavalier's all-time assist leader.
"Mary Frances Scott has started all four years," Aldrich Shelton said. "She's a great leader and has become the quarterback of this team."
In addition to the experienced veterans on the squad, the Cavaliers welcome several first years, who are expected to contribute early in the season.
"We have a very strong first-year class this year," Aldrich Shelton said. "We'd like to give the younger players a chance in the early part of the season, so that when we get to the more difficult games, they'll have some experience under their belts."
Virginia's first significant challenge does not come until they visit Georgetown two weeks into the season. Regardless, the Cavs are not overlooking anybody, especially since so many teams have overlooked them in the past.
The first game against Virginia Tech tonight will be a good barometer of what to expect out of this team, which is loaded with potential.
"We can't judge what Virginia Tech is going to bring," Aldrich Shelton said.
"They have three new starters, so they are a bit of an unknown. We're concentrating on winning that first game, following last year's success with an even better season, and establish a winning tradition for this team"
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