Virginia To Open ACC Play At North Carolina

Story Links

Sept. 19, 2001

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The University of Virginia volleyball team returns to action Thursday (September 20) when it travels to Chapel Hill, N.C. for its Atlantic Coast Conference opener against North Carolina after an 11-day layoff. UVa will then play N.C. State in Raleigh on Friday. The Cavaliers had their last four matches canceled due to the tragic events that occurred on Tuesday, September 11.

The Cavaliers stand at 4-3 as they begin ACC play. UVa had its match against Georgetown (Sept. 11) and all three of its matches in the Kentucky Conference Challenge (Sept. 14-15) canceled. In its last action, Virginia finished second in the William & Mary Hi-IQ Classic (Sept. 7-8) with a 2-1 record. The Cavaliers defeated Davidson (3-1) and Columbia (3-0) before falling to William & Mary (3-0). Second-year middle Shannon Boyle (Cincinnati, Ohio/Ursuline Academy) and second-year setter Abby Whittenburg (Amarillo, Texas/Amarillo) were named to the All-Tournament team.

North Carolina stands at 6-3 overall. The Tar Heels are coming off a 3-0 victory over East Carolina on Tuesday (September 18). N.C. State is 4-3 on the season and the match against UVa will be the Wolfpack’s first since falling to Campbell 3-1 in the N.C. State Wolfpack Classic on September 8.

Virginia is 4-15 all-time in ACC openers, including a 1-8 record on the road. The Cavaliers are 1-4 against North Carolina in conference openers.

Fourth-year outside hitter Jenny Harmon (Virginia Beach, Va./Salem) leads Virginia in kills with 73 (3.17 kills per game). Boyle tops the Cavaliers with a .313 hitting percentage and is second with 68 kills. She is also second on the team with 26 total blocks. Second-year outside hitter Paige Davis (Austin, Texas/Westlake) has tallied 63 kills, good for third on the team. She also leads the team with 55 digs. Whittenburg has registered a team-high 218 assists (9.48 per game) and has added 51 digs.