After a close loss to NC State Friday evening, Virginia returned to John Paul Jones Arena Sunday with a vengeance, wanting to end the final home game in the basketball arena, and senior day, on a good note. The Cavaliers (12-16, 5-13 ACC) faced off against Wake Forest, a conference team that has had a difficult season and also desperately needed a victory.
While the Demon Deacons (14-15, 8-10 ACC) took the first set by seven points, indicating that Virginia might have a tough game to play Sunday, the Cavaliers turned it around and snagged the three following sets with a strong lead in each, taking home the win 18-25, 25-19, 25-17, 25-18.
Freshman outside hitter Reagan Ennist and senior outside hitter Kadynce Boothe led the team to victory with their outstanding performances, each achieving double digits in both kills and digs. Ennist had a match-high of 26 kills and 10 digs, while Boothe earned 12 kills and digs each. Senior middle blocker Kate Dean was there for some support as well at the top of the net, blocking five spikes at different moments throughout the afternoon.
“I am really proud of our team,” Coach Shannon Wells said. “In the first set, we showed moments of Friday night where we left the gym with some frustration, but I love the adjustments that we made. This hasn’t been the season we wanted or anticipated, but we keep driving to make sure this team is playing its best volleyball at the end of the year and today really showed that.”
And it is true — the first set showed some serious struggle from Virginia. An 8-0 run halfway through the set gave Wake Forest the push it needed to take a five-point lead. With a considerable gap between the two teams, it was not easy for the Cavaliers to try and play a game of catch-up. A handful of service errors also did not help the situation.
However, Virginia did not let this first set define it and completely turned around their performance just one set later. The Cavaliers were able to take the lead early on in the second set, and they remained unfazed when the Demon Deacons tied it up halfway through and temporarily took the lead. They quickly recovered, and kill after kill came in to put Virginia back ahead and take the second set.
Both the third and fourth sets were closer in the first half, forcing the crowd to the edge of their seats. However, both times Wake Forest was not a match for the Cavalier power that would appear in the second half to take and grow the lead so there was no question of who would take the victory.
Ennist and sophomore setter Zoey Dood were the ones to close out the final two sets, each with a strong kill that burst the crowd into cheers. With another conference victory under their belt, the Cavaliers felt proud that they were working hard to try and end the season on the right note.
It also likely helped the team that they started the match off with a celebration. Before the game kicked off, the Cavaliers honored their seniors on the court — senior libero Kate Johnson, senior outside hitter Vivian Miller, Boothe, Dean and senior middle blocker Jasmine Robinson.
Looking forward, there is just one more regular season home game, and it is up next. Virginia will be hosting North Carolina Wednesday afternoon at the Aquatic & Fitness Center to end its home season.
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