After splitting its last two matches, the Virginia volleyball team paid a visit to NC State and No. 15 North Carolina this weekend seeking revenge for a pair of 3-0 losses earlier in the season. The Cavaliers came up short in their quest, however, falling 3-2 to the Wolfpack and 3-1 to the Tar Heels.
In its first meetings with the two teams this October, Virginia (15-13, 8-8 ACC) was thoroughly dominated en route to consecutive sweeps. The Cavaliers were out-blocked eight to two against North Carolina (24-3, 13-3 ACC), and never took a lead in the match against the Wolfpack (20-8, 11-5 ACC). Coach Dennis Hohenshelt said his team’s effort was “embarrassing” and they would need to get better.
The players responded to his words with vastly improved play on the court, earning wins in their next four matches, including the team’s first victory against Virginia Tech since 2009.
Heading into the weekend, Virginia’s only loss since dropping those two matches came on Nov. 8 in four sets against No. 22 Florida State.
In Friday’s match, the Wolfpack controlled the first set, limiting Virginia to a -.094 hitting percentage as they rolled to a 25-10 win. The Cavaliers bounced back to take the second 26-24, despite trailing 18-22 at one point.
The teams traded the next two frames, with NC State winning the third 27-25 and Virginia the fourth 25-18. In the fifth and final set the Wolfpack jumped out to a 5-0 lead, and though the Cavaliers came within one point on multiple occasions, they could never pull even, falling 15-13.
Sophomore Natalie Bausback put up a .389 hitting percentage and five blocks, both bests for Virginia on the night. Freshman Haley Kole registered nine kills, and now has the fourth most kills by a freshman in Cavalier history.
The team came out Saturday against North Carolina hoping to shake off the previous night’s loss. Tied at 11-11, North Carolina went on a 5-point run, eventually claiming the first set 25-18. The Cavaliers responded with four service aces in the second, knotting the match at 1-1 with a 25-22 win.
In the third set, North Carolina came up with a 25-19 victory, never trailing during the frame. Virginia took a five-point lead in the fourth at 19-14, but the Tar Heels tallied eight of the next nine points, ultimately prevailing 26-24 to clinch the match.
Freshman Jasmine Burton made 20 of her 37 kills on the weekend against North Carolina and now has 332 on the year, good enough for sixth-most by any freshman in Virginia history. Bausback added seven more blocks, including four solos.
The team closes out its road schedule Friday at Notre Dame, then returns home to host Virginia Tech Sunday afternoon.
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