As the Virginia women's volleyball team gears up for the Texas A&M Invitational, the squad hopes to put together a more consistent season than its last. In 2008, the Cavaliers only won slightly more than half their games and finished a disappointing 9-11 in the ACC, but with the addition of three promising freshmen, fans are looking for a marked improvement.\nTo accomplish this, the Cavaliers will need to translate their consistency at home to gyms outside Charlottesville, after winning just one-third of their road games last fall. Despite its 17-15 record last season, Virginia managed to boast impressive statistics on both offense and defense - and also will need to keep those numbers up to see success in 2009.\nThe Virginia offense contributed 12.1 kills per set last year, and the Cavaliers tallied 162 aces, averaging 1.3 aces per set. Defensively, Virginia spent quality time diving across the floor, recording 16.3 digs per set. The tall front line, meanwhile, acted as a dominant wall, blocking 2.4 attacks per game.\nThis year, though, the Cavaliers will be forced to rebuild their offense after losing a setter, middle hitter and outside hitter from last year's squad. Part-time setters Marlow Bruneau, who managed 689 assists in only 18 starts, and Kelly Irvin are no longer with the team. A regular setter, middle hitter Shannon Davis, also will be severely missed after notching 251 kills last year. Outside hitter Beth Shelton, who also was on the front line, contributed 245 kills of her own.\nVirginia coach Lee Maes will look to several prominent freshmen to fill in the gaps. Rachel Gray will take on the open spot at setter, making opportunities for big plays from the new middle hitters, freshmen Tobi Farrar and Jessica O'Shoney. At 6-foot-3, Farrar adds height that Virginia has lacked previously. She and O'Shoney could form a powerful blocking combination.\nThe 2009 recruiting class is ranked No. 15 nationally, the highest-ranked nationally recruiting class Virginia volleyball has ever drawn.\n"They have shown incredible attitude, incredible effort," Maes said. "These freshmen will contribute significantly in the quickly approaching season."\nNow in its second season using Maes' system, the team hopes to see fewer erratic performances.\n"We have a lot more confidence coming into practice," sophomore outside hitter Simone Asque said.\nA great deal of communication between teammates and coaches also could offer benefits, as the players spent a "very, very productive preseason together," Maes said. Before conference play begins, the team will travel to Texas and Nebraska for tournaments, which Maes said should help the team come together. Later this year, the Holiday Inn Jefferson Cup Tournament will present another challenge for the squad to overcome. Additionally, the team also will host the Marriott Cavalier Invitational, which will showcase Villanova, Albany and ACC rival Virginia Tech.\nBecause of the recruiting class's high ranking, the Cavaliers hope they are prepared to tackle a grueling stretch of ACC games at the end of September, even without several of last year's team's vital cogs.\n"Our main goal is [winning] an ACC championship," senior outside hitter Lauren Dickson said.
Read More
Virginia volleyball sweeps Virginia Tech on Thanksgiving weekend
By Molly Canipe | November 27, 2023The win provided a silver lining for Cavalier fans in an otherwise dismal rivalry weekend.
Virginia volleyball falls to Duke in three sets on Senior Night
By Katie Costin | November 19, 2023The Cavaliers struggled to close out the first two games and ultimately could not find a win in the penultimate home game of the season.
Virginia women’s basketball takes down Campbell 74-49
By Max Jensen | November 13, 2023The Cavaliers trailed at the half but were able to impose their will on the Camels in the second period.
