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Volleyball Season Update
Story Links
Oct. 20, 1998
Pre-Season Predictions? – After being tabbed seventh in the ACC pre-season coaches poll, UVa has shown early on in conference play that it will be a force to reckon with when the ACC Tournament rolls around. After dropping its first ACC match of the season to Wake Forest (3-0), Virginia has won five of its last seven conference matches, including a string of three consecutive wins over Duke (3-0), Clemson (3-0) and Georgia Tech (3-0). The Cavaliers also defeated N.C State (3-0) and Maryland (3-0).
Milestone Victories – In recent years, Virginia has had its troubles with several team, particularly Maryland, Clemson and Duke. It had been nearly seven years since UVa had beat The Tigers or Terrapins. With Virginia’s 3-0 victory over Clemson (10/2/98), it marked the first time UVa defeated the Tigers since October 26, 1991. With the Cavaliers 3-0 win over Maryland (10/13/98), Virginia claimed its first win over the Terrapins since November 22, 1991. When UVa handed Duke a 3-0 loss on 9/27/98, it marked only the fourth time the Cavaliers have defeated the Blue Devils in 27 attempts.
Record Setter – Third-year setter Mary Frances Scott became Virginia’s all-time assists leader when she recorded her 30th assist against Minnesota on September 4th, breaking the mark held by Lisa Flowers (3,071). Entering the 1998 season, Scott ranked third all-time at Virginia with 2965 assists. She heads into the Florida State match with 3843 career assists.
Hoo’s Hot! – Virginia is off to the best start in the programs 19 year history. With a minimum of 11 matches yet to be played, the Cavaliers could become the winningest volleyball team in the 90’s at UVa if they top the 24 wins set by the 1996 squad. The ’96 team also holds the school-record for most conference wins in a season with seven. Virginia has already won five conference matches this season, and have eight ACC matches remaining on the schedule.
Home Sweet Home – Virginia is 7-0 (3-0 ACC) in Memorial Gym and will play seven of its last 10 matches in Charlottesville, Including five of its last eight conference matches
National Recognition – Virginia has received votes in the USA Today/AVAC Coaches Polls the past two weeks. The Cavaliers gathered three points in last weeks poll, before claiming one vote in the latest poll (10/13/98).
Tourney Time – The Cavaliers competed in three volleyball tournaments this season, and came away with first place finishes in two of them. First, UVa traveled to Annapolis, Md. to compete in the 1998 Navy Trident Classic. The Cavaliers won three of their four matches as they defeated Buffalo (3-0), Navy (3-0) and Loyola (3-0). Virginia’s only setback was a tough 3-2 loss to tournament champion Minnesota. Third-year setter Mary Frances Scott was named to the All-Tournament team as she recorded 172 assists, 26 digs and 13 kills for the Cavaliers in the tournament.
UVa then headed off to Malibu, Calif. to compete in the 1998 Pepperdine Tournament. The Cavaliers won all three matches by defeating Pepperdine (3-2), Akron (3-1) and UC Irvine (3-1) en route to the tournament title. Andrea Fischer, Jessica Parsons and Scott were named to the All-Tournament team for UVa. Parsons was selected as the tournament MVP.
Fresh off its tournament win in Malibu, Virginia returned to Charlottesville to host the 1998 Jefferson Cup Invitational. UVa breezed through their first two matches as they defeated VCU (3-0) and Cornell (3-0) before facing Georgetown in the championship game. The Cavaliers defeated the Hoyas 3-1, claiming their second tournament championship of the season and lifting their season-high win streak to 11 games. Deanna Zwarich, Parsons and Scott were named to the All-Tournament. Parsons gathered tournament MVP honors for the second time this season.