The Virginia volleyball team looks to continue its three-game winning streak as it returns home this weekend to take on ACC foes Duke and Wake Forest.
The Cavaliers (9-8, 3-4 ACC), who began 0-4 in the conference, are coming off of two impressive performances last weekend, defeating Boston College 3-1 and sweeping Maryland 3-0. The squad's recent success follows a disappointing three-game losing streak during which the Cavaliers fell to Miami, Georgia Tech and Florida State.
"I feel like we're just getting a lot more players on the same page in terms of the learning curve and improving in the areas we've asked them to improve," coach Lee Maes said.
The squad has improved its execution, especially in the area of blocking. The Cavaliers tallied 15 team blocks against Boston College with nine coming from freshman middle hitter Mallory Woolridge.
"When you get a sweet block, it just gives you so much energy and excitement, and then usually you come back and win the next point," Woolridge said. "It just gives you so much momentum."
Another key to Virginia's success has been freshman outside hitter McKenzie Adams, who was named ACC Freshman of the Week after her performance this past weekend, when she tallied 29 kills, 13 digs and nine blocks while hitting .302.
"I think McKenzie's role starts with her ability to continue proving consistent passing, and that's allowed our team to open up the offense," Maes said.
But even with the team playing at its best, the Cavaliers will face a monumental challenge tonight as they take on Duke (15-2, 7-0 ACC) - a team that is not only undefeated in the conference but also has never been defeated by the current Virginia roster.
"The team is on the same page about the goals we want, and we all know that this is something we really want," senior defensive specialist A.J. Cushman said. "Every single rep is going toward beating Duke."
Duke possesses a balanced offense, making it difficult for its opponents to focus on any one player.
"We have to put a lot of pressure on them with our serve, and that'll allow us to have a better opportunity to throw off their offense," Maes said.
Sunday, the Cavaliers will take on Wake Forest, which is currently ranked fourth in the ACC. Even after Virginia's slow start, the Cavaliers sit one game behind the Demon Deacons in the ACC standings (11-6, 4-3 ACC).
"It's going to be a very important match to see who will be top four in the ACC," Maes said.
And something other than their close records may increase tensions between the teams - they both match up equally in terms of what kinds of offensive assets they have.
"They're probably similar to us with regards to having one dominant outside hitter, and their biggest offensive threats have been their middles," Maes said.
Nevertheless, with more wins, the Cavaliers have started to come into their own.
"The more we win, the more confidence we have, and it just makes everything more fun," Woolridge said.
First serve against Duke will take place at 7 p.m. this evening in Memorial Gymnasium. Sunday's match will begin at 1 p.m.
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