After sweeping its competition at the Temple Invitational, the Virginia volleyball team looks to maintain momentum at Memorial Gymnasium this weekend when it hosts the annual Holiday Inn Jefferson Cup.
The Cavaliers (3-0) aim to win their third consecutive Cup title in their own gym.
"Our goal is to go 3-0, but it's going to be good competition," sophomore right-side hitter Tobi Farrar said.
Friday, Virginia will host North Florida (0-3) and Liberty (2-1) before ending the tournament against George Washington (2-1).
"All three are going to be very good, defensively oriented teams," coach Lee Maes said.
Virginia's wealth of size and depth at multiple positions should pose significant challenges to its opponents.
"They may not be as physical as our team," Maes said.
Last weekend's title, coupled with the excitement of a home-opener, could fuel an undefeated Virginia squad that already has reversed a troubling trend from years past. After beginning last season with a mediocre 1-2 record, the Cavaliers hoped to kick off the 2010 campaign without the first-game jitters that plagued them a season ago.
"I was really impressed with the way we were able to come together as a team right away," sophomore setter Rachel Gray said.
Indeed, the Cavaliers have brought a new attitude to this season. They controlled all facets of the game last weekend: ACC Freshman of the Week Emily Rottman finished the tournament with 26 kills and 55 digs, senior defensive specialist A.J. Cushman posted the first 30-dig game of her career and junior outside hitter Simone Asque tallied her first-ever 30-kill game.
Asque, an All-Tournament team honoree, notched 67 kills and 42 digs on the weekend and has emerged as Virginia's primary threat.
"We feel she's one of the best attackers in the country," Maes said. "She's made a very concerted effort to be more known as a generalized specialist - being good at everything and great at multiple things."
Asque's right-hand woman, sophomore middle hitter Jessica O'Shoney, also was named to the all-tournament team, having tallied 30 kills and 12 blocks in the Temple Invitational.
The Cavaliers are clicking on all cylinders thus far and hope to continue their strong play 10:30 a.m. tomorrow against Liberty.
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