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Sept. 22, 2005
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The University of Virginia volleyball team begins its 22-match Atlantic Coast Conference slate with a pair of matches this weekend in North Carolina. The Cavaliers begin ACC competition on Friday (September 23) with a 7:00 p.m. match against NC State in Raleigh and then take on North Carolina in Chapel Hill on Saturday (September 24) at 6:00 p.m.
The ACC is playing a double round-robin schedule in 2005, with the 12-team league necessitating a 22-match conference schedule. The remainder of UVa’s regular season schedule consists entirely of conference matches.
The Cavaliers stand at 5-4 on the season and are coming off a second-place finish in the Fairfield Inn Jefferson Cup Tournament this past weekend. Second-year outside hitter Sarah Kirkwood (Tampa, Fla./Plant) and second-year middle Katie Oakes (Lorton, Va./Evangel Christian School) were named to the Jefferson Cup All-Tournament Team.
Kirkwood leads the team with 124 kills (3.76 per game) and 24 service aces, including a school-record nine in the Cavaliers’ 3-0 win over Appalachian State (September 16). She is also second on the team with a .274 hitting percentage. Oakes leads UVa with a .311 hitting percentage while averaging 2.24 kills per game. Oakes is second on the club with 31 blocks (0.94 per game). Third-year setter Emily Kirkwood (Tampa, Fla./Plant) is averaging 10.74 assists per game and is second on the team with 14 service aces. Second-year libero Melissa Caldwell (Houston, Texas/Stratford) tops the Cavaliers with 129 digs for an average of 3.91 per game.
NC State stands at stands at 6-2 on the season, while the Tar Heels are 5-5. Virginia has won 19 consecutive matches against the Wolfpack and leads the all-time series 25-19. The Cavaliers trail North Carolina 29-10 in that all-time series.
Virginia returns home to Memorial Gym on Friday, September 30 when it hosts ACC newcomer Boston College at 7:00 p.m.