The Virginia volleyball team looks to get back on track this weekend in a pair of ACC games. The Cavs take on North Carolina tonight at 7:30 p.m. and N.C. State tomorrow at 7 p.m. - both at University Hall.
The Cavaliers (7-3) look to rebound from a recent losing streak that marred the season's strong start. Following a seven-game winning streak, the team went on to lose three consecutive road games. The return to U-Hall should provide an opportunity to get out of the loss column.
"We're opening our ACC season this weekend, and we're excited to be doing it at home," Virginia coach Melissa Aldrich Shelton said. "You only have 16 chances in this Conference to get to the NCAAs and two of those chances are this weekend. We really need to do well from here on."
The Cavaliers are led by preseason ACC player of the year Jessica Parsons at middle hitter. Fellow fourth-years Whitney Bilger and Mary Frances Scott join Parsons in the starting lineup. Third-years Katie Jones, Andrea Fischer and Deanna Zwarich round out a lineup that draws its strength from experience.
"We need to work on our passing," Shelton said. "We've had some problems with that lately. And we need to keep blocking - we've been doing that well, but we have to keep doing that." Virginia has "a very good setter and good middle hitters," UNC coach Joe Sagula said. "Jessica Parsons and Deanna Zwarich are great athletes."
North Carolina (8-3) comes into the game ranked 27th in the USA Today/American Volleyball Coaches Association Poll.
The Heels, led by middle hitters Shannon Smith and Tori Seibert, are a fast team that should be the weekend's biggest challenge for the Cavs.
"UNC is a very fast, very quick team," Shelton said. "We need to keep some of their hitters out of the game."
"The keys to this game will be whichever team plays better at the end of the game," Sagula said. "At the beginning of the game, I think both teams will be feeling each other out at first, but whoever remains more focused and plays their game better at the end will come out with the win."
N.C. State brings a 9-7 record into the weekend. The Wolfpack play at Maryland Friday before coming to U-Hall.
N.C. State's team is younger and less experienced than both Virginia and Carolina. The Wolfpack will be led by setter Erin Vesey and outside hitter Charece Williams, both sophomores.
"N.C. State is a younger team, so the key to that is to just come out strong and remain focused," Shelton said. "We need to take the emotion out of that game."
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