Hard times have fallen on the Virginia women's volleyball team -- Wednesday's loss to ACC rival Maryland pushed the Cavaliers' losing streak to five, and there is little relief in sight as Virginia travels to Tallahassee to face Florida State and Florida A&M this weekend.
Virginia Coach Melissa Aldrich Shelton, in her eighth season coaching the Cavaliers (6-14, 0-5 ACC), says preparation is the key for victory against the two formidable opponents. Florida State (10-6, 2-2 ACC) is currently ranked fourth in the NCAA eastern region rankings. Florida A&M is ranked 10th.
"Obviously the ACC match is the one we have to prepare for the most, because it means the most," Shelton said. "We go down preparing for Florida State knowing in the back of our minds we play Florida A&M the next day. We're going to try to come home with at least one road win."
Such optimism is imperative if the Cavaliers hope to turn around their recent losing ways. Virginia is a lackluster 1-6 in away games. Florida State, however, is a robust 7-0 in Tallahassee.
Virginia currently resides in the cellar of the ACC rankings with a 0-4 record. A win would help restore the confidence of the team and move them up in the rankings. The season is still young, and a run at the championship is not out of the question yet.
In order to turn the season around, Virginia needs to take advantage of opportunities and win the close games. For example, Maryland escaped Virginia by only two points in the first two sets (30-28, 31-29). The Cavaliers could not capitalize on their 18-16 lead in the third set, losing 30-22.
"We need to just put the ball down and take it to them because otherwise they're going to take it to us," said sophomore defensive specialist and libero Ruth Selby.
Virginia should continue to be energized by the return of sophomore setter Lilly Philips, who had 39 assists and nine digs against the Terps. Maryland was her first full game after spraining her ankle over a month ago.
Junior outside hitter Paige Davis continues to lead the team in major statistical output. She currently has eight double- doubles, 204 kills and 206 digs.
The Seminoles are led by senior opposite Kristin Frye, who has 233 kills and 114 digs this season, and senior outside hitter Alex Sevillano, who has 201 kills and 126 digs.
"I know Florida State is a really solid team," Selby said. "What we need to do is concentrate on our side of the net. We can't control what they do, but we need to get our serves in and take care of passing."
The Cavaliers will need to be in top form in order to survive these East Region giants and climb the ranks in the ACC.
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