The Cavaliers came up big with a nearly flawless match Wednesday afternoon, crushing the Hokies 7-0. The win brings No. 37 Virginia to 10-4 so far this spring.
After beginning the doubles portion at the Snyder Center's outdoor courts, rain forced relocation to the bubble at the Boar's Head Sports Club. Yet Virginia maintained solid control up and down the line.
"In doubles, No.1 started off and finished well, and especially played the entire first set today extremely well," Coach Phil Rogers said of the No. 40 nationally-ranked team of seniors Jen Tuchband and Henriette Williams. "They were stepping in, hitting the shots at a good pace, and taking care of balls to the net. They played one of the most consistent doubles matches of the season."
At the No. 2 position, No. 38 nationally-ranked team of freshmen Lori Stern and Kristen James rallied hard to win after opening down 5-1.
Freshmen Lauren Bruch and Kyle Montgomery also started off behind but came back to win.
Virginia's possession of the doubles' point propelled them into a sweep of the singles matches.
Williams faced a barrage from long-time rival--and the Hokies' strongest player--Kristen Stubbs, dropping the first set 6-1. Williams fought hard in the second and third sets to recapture the point, 6-0, 6-3.
"It was a hard match," Williams said. "I grew up playing Kristen since we were little kids, so coming into it made me nervous, knowing that it might be the last time I play her. I didn't feel like I was off so much as I felt like she was coming up with great shots, and I just had to give that first one to her. I regrouped after the first set, and things started going more my way."
On the No. 2 court, Tuchband faced another strong player, and responded, as Rogers said, "much like the ACC player of the week by handling the pace very well."
Tuchband saw the match as very evenly matched.
"We were both hard hitters and it came down to who could keep a couple balls in the court," Tuchband said.
Kristen James fought hard at No. 3, up from her usual No. 4.
"James played the warrior's match today," Rogers said. "She was there with every point, and just fought through a tremendous war," all in spite of being diagnosed with strep throat immediately following her match.
Sophomores Dora and Marta Bechliwanis picked up wins in the fourth and fifth positions, despite Marta's struggling after the move indoors.
Freshman Lauren Bruch at No. 6 played with enough energy and enthusiasm to wrap up the evening and record the last single for Virginia.
Wednesday's meeting with Virginia Tech was the first home match since early February, coming only a few days after the team's Florida Spring Break trip.
Playing outside under the sweltering heat of the Florida sun provided a test for the team, who met the challenge in demanding practices and intense matches, but all in all, they were able to come away having played a lot of strong tennis. Now the Cavaliers look ahead to new goals.
"Being more aggressive," Tuchband said. "We play really aggressively in practice but in matches we sometimes need to focus more on it and go for our volleys."
Virginia will face three top 30 teams before the end of the month, beginning with Oregon on Monday, and followed by two top 10 teams in early April.
"Our athletic ability combined with our intensity makes us a tough team," Rogers said. "Today we had both of those things coming out."
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