Virginia’s volleyball team dominated this weekend, scoring 3-0 wins against Virginia Commonwealth, Binghamton and Appalachian State to improve its record to 7-2 and win the Marriott Jefferson Cup.
Senior middle blocker Shannon Davis was selected as the tournament MVP after posting a .545 hitting percentage against Appalachian State in the final match of the tournament.
Being selected as MVP “feels good,” Davis said. “But it’s not as exciting as winning the tournament as a team.”
The Cavaliers started strong with a 3-0 (25-22, 25-22, 25-22) victory Friday against Virginia Commonwealth to open Lee Maes’s career at home as Virginia coach. Junior outside hitter Lauren Dickson finished the match with 10 kills and 11 digs, putting up her third consecutive double-double.
Friday’s match was selected as an Orange Passport game by the Hoo Crew — allowing student attendees to earn loyalty points that will assist them in getting basketball tickets this year — and hundreds of Virginia fans filled the stands of Memorial Gym.
“Our match versus VCU was absolutely just a great environment,” Maes said. “I love that we had such a great crowd that was engaged and loud.”
The afternoon match against Binghamton saw another 3-0 (25-18, 25-17, 25-23) Cavalier victory. Lauren Dickson again hit a double-double, hitting 10 digs and knocking down 14 kills.
“One of the things that we really appreciate about Lauren,” Maes said, “is that ... when one facet of the game is not going well for her, we can count on another part of the game that she can still execute well.”
Freshman outside hitter Simone Asque put up double-digit kills in the matches against Virginia Commonwealth and Binghamton.
“It was really awesome,” Asque said. “It’s like the moment of the beginning of my career.”
Asque “did a nice job coming in and assuming a role for us,” Maes said. “It was a good growing opportunity for her.”
Beginning with the Virginia-Virginia Commonwealth match Friday, the heat began building in Memorial Gym, pushing 100 degrees by the beginning of the final match of the tournament Saturday, Virginia-Appalachian State. The Mountaineers’ senior middle blocker Carla Durham noted the gym’s stifling temperatures hindered her experience in the tournament.
“It’s too hot,” Durham said. Memorial Gym “is a good gym. We like how the bleachers are close [to the court], but it’s way too hot in here.”
The uncomfortable playing conditions did not stop the Cavaliers from finishing their sweep of the tournament, topping Appalachian State 3-0 (25-19, 25-15, 25-21) Saturday evening.
The Cavaliers outplayed the Mountaineers most of the match, but a rally by Appalachian State late in the third set kept the Cavaliers on their toes.
“One of the things that’s really apparent with Appalachian State is their level of effort,” Maes said. “We ... admired how they really pursued and continued putting stress on us defensively.”
Though Dickson’s streak of double-doubles ended against the Mountaineers, her 11 kills in the match led the Cavaliers.
“I think it’s just sometimes things click,” Dickson said. “I’m getting a lot of opportunities to hit the ball.”
The Cavaliers will work this week to prepare for the Northwestern Tournament in Chicago Sept. 19 to 20. Virginia is scheduled to take on No. 5 UCLA at 11:30 a.m. Friday, home team Northwestern at 8 p.m. Friday, and Georgetown at 7 p.m. Saturday.
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