Virginia Set to Host Clemson and Georgia Tech

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October 1, 1998

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — Virginia will play its first home conference matches of the season when Clemson and Georgia Tech visit Charlottesville (Oct. 2-3). Clemson (9-4 overall, 2-1 ACC) enters its match against Virginia on the heels off a 3-1 loss to North Carolina. The Tar Heels handed the Tigers their first loss of the season at home and in the conference, which knocked Clemson out of first place in the ACC. The Tigers are tied with Georgia Tech and Wake Forest for second place in the conference. Clemson opened the season by winning seven of its first nine matches, but have dropped two of its last four. The Tigers have been nearly unbeatable at home (5-1) and are 4-0 at neutral sites, but enter Memorial Gym with a 0-3 record on the road. Virginia will pit its undefeated 4-0 mark at home against winless Clemson on the road.

Georgia Tech (13-6 overall, 2-1 ACC) stands in a second-place tie with Clemson and Wake Forest in the conference (as of 10/1/98). The Yellow Jackets pulled out a 3-2 victory over a determined N.C. State team to pull into second place in the ACC. Georgia Tech has really turned things around since the early portion of the season. The Yellow Jackets opened the season by dropping five of their first six matches, including their first four matches of the season. After Georgia Tech’s dismal 1-5 start, the Yellow Jackets reeled off 12 wins over their next 13 matches, including a span where the Old Gold and White won 10 consecutive matches. Georgia Tech’s only setback during that span was a 3-1 loss to North Carolina.

Virginia stands 5-20 in the series meetings with Clemson, and is 10-11 in the series meetings with Georgia Tech. The Cavaliers have not won against the Tigers since October 26, 1991. UVa won the match with a 3-1 decision. Virginia defeated Georgia Tech in Atlanta, Ga. last season (Oct. 18, 1997) with a 3-2 victory.