Virginia volleyball’s misfortunes in ACC play continued Friday evening after a defeat against Wake Forest in Memorial Gymnasium. The Cavaliers (8-13, 1-10 ACC) took the first set, but the Demon Deacons (16-6, 7-4 ACC) found their footing as the match progressed, taking the next three sets and securing a victory.
The first set was heavily contested, with neither team having a lead greater than two points. At 20-19, the momentum shifted and the Cavaliers ran away with the set thanks to a scoring run. A kill from senior outside hitter Chloe Wilson gave the Cavaliers the set, 25-22. Junior libero Milan Gomillion helped Virginia maintain the lead thanks to her nine digs and senior outside hitter Chloe Wilson led the team in kills.
Both teams continued to go toe-to-toe, but this time the Demon Deacons gained the momentum, with fifth-year middle blocker Emmy Ogogor landing two kills in this set. Wake Forest sustained a lead and another kill by Ogogor tied the match up 1-1 for Wake Forest, who won the set 25-22.
Wake Forest would continue its momentum beginning the set with an 8-1 scoring run. The Cavaliers continued to fight back and would go on their own scoring run to tie the set 13-13. Virginia eventually took its first lead of the set at 16-15. The two teams eventually tied at 21-21, but the Demon Deacons came out on top as a result of two Virginia service errors and a block by Wake Forest’s freshman middle blocker Dior Charles. A kill by Ogogor closed out the set for the Demon Deacons, 25-23.
The fourth set started with an attack error by Wilson at 13-13 that would mark the collapse of Virginia’s offense. The Cavaliers never regained the lead for the rest of the set despite minor comeback efforts. Errors on Virginia’s offense and Wake Forest’s relentless and consistent hitting would define the set. The kill from Wake Forest’s sophomore outside hitter Paige Crawford would seal the match for the Demon Deacons, winning the set 25-21 and the match at 3-1.
At 1-10 against ACC opponents, Virginia’s season has been derailed after a promising start in non-conference competition. Ranking above only Syracuse in the conference, the Cavaliers will seek to minimize errors on the court in order to play out the rest of the season with pride. Fortunately, their next opponent has fared similarly against the ACC, as Virginia Tech offers the best chance for a conference win on the remaining schedule.
The Cavaliers’ next matchup will be a blockbuster, as they partake in the Commonwealth Clash against the Hokies (12-10, 2-9 ACC) this Sunday at 2 p.m. at John Paul Jones Arena for the first time in program history.
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