Friday night, the Virginia volleyball team was defeated by in-state rival Virginia Tech in a heartbreaking fifth set that ended 15-13, handing the 3-2 win to the Hokies. The Cavaliers (6-5, 0-1 ACC) quickly turned around Saturday, however, to take a three-set match against George Mason to conclude the Marriot Cavalier Classic.
"Losing by two points is difficult to swallow," Virginia coach Lee Maes said.
The ACC opener started neck-and-neck for both teams, but Virginia Tech (10-1, 1-0 ACC) broke away and stole a 25-19 set victory.
Virginia quickly stole the momentum, however, easily taking the next two sets with scores of 25-14 and 25-16, respectively.
"We were very efficient, primarily in the serve and pass game, and obviously, it reflected in our offensive production," Maes said.
Needing only one more set to clinch the match, the Virginia Tech squad was too fired up to be contained by the Cavaliers, breaking a 17-17 tie during the fourth set to go on to win 25-20.
Tied at two sets apiece, the Hokies built a 13-10 lead during the fifth and final set. Virginia rallied to knot the score at 13 but ultimately ran out of gas.
"We made a couple of unforced errors at a critical time that ended that set, which was ultimately the difference maker," Maes said.
In front of an audience of 697 fans, Virginia was handed its first in-conference loss.
"I think for the most part it was a good volleyball match," freshman middle hitter Mallory Woolridge said. "I just wish it could have come out different."
Woolridge was among three Virginia players to finish the game with five blocks, accompanied by sophomore right side hitter Tobi Farrar and sophomore middle Jess O'Shoney.
Leading the offense with 14 kills was a new face, freshman outside hitter McKenzie Adams.
Adams, who missed the majority of the preseason because of an ankle injury, has emerged as an additional offensive threat for the Cavaliers.
"This weekend we saw the fruits of how much work she's put in to get back to the court," Maes said.
Adams also tallied double digit kills during Virginia's 3-0 sweep of George Mason (5-7) Saturday night, which snapped the Cavaliers' five-match losing streak.
An 11-1 run fueled the 25-18 Cavalier victory. Virginia never looked back and finished off the Patriots with 25-14 and 25-11 second- and third-set scores, respectively.
Junior outside hitter Simone Asque carried the offensive load with 13 kills, followed by Adams with 11 and O'Shoney with eight.
Woolridge was also impressive, connecting on five kills on as many attacks.
"I feel confident in myself that when you give me the ball, I'm going to put it down," Woolridge said.
O'Shoney was named to the All-Tournament team - her third on the season - while Adams also received the accolade. While Virginia did not come through in its most important match, it did emerge with a more solidified starting lineup.
"The nice thing about the lineup this weekend was that the people we put out on the floor gave us more predictability in knowing what to expect from a performance standpoint," Maes said.
Virginia will have a chance to test its lineup next weekend as it continues ACC play on the road against Florida State and Miami.
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