Virginia Volleyball Falls 3-0 To Michigan
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Sept. 8, 2006
ANN ARBOR, Mich. – After posting an impressive 3-1 win over Pacific earlier in the day, the Virginia volleyball team suffered a 3-0 (30-26, 30-21, 30-27) loss to Michigan Friday evening (Sept. 8) in the Michigan/Pepsi Challenge at Cliff Keen Arena. The loss to the Wolverines snaps UVa’s six-match winning streak as the Cavaliers fall to 6-2 on the season and 1-1 in the tournament. Michigan remains perfect in 2006 with a 9-0 record.
In addition to having its six-match winning streak snapped, UVa also lost the first game of a match for the first time this season. The Cavaliers had won the first game in seven straight matches this season.
Third-year outside hitter Sarah Kirkwood (Tampa, Fla.) recorded her second double-double of the day as she totaled 11 kills and 16 digs against the Wolverines. It marked Kirkwood’s sixth double-double of the season and fourth consecutive. She also tied fourth-year outside hitter Lindsay Osco (Houston, Texas) for match-high honors in service aces with three. Osco also reached double digits in kills with 10 and had eight digs. Third-year middle Katie Oakes (Lorton, Va.) added eight kills.
Second-year outside hitter Beth Shelton (Cincinnati, Ohio) led the Cavaliers’ defensive effort with 21 digs. Fourth-year setter Emily Kirkwood (Tampa, Fla.) dished out 27 assists and added six digs.
Katie Bruzdzinski led a potent Michigan attack with 22 kills and a .354 hitting percentage. She also added 12 digs, four assists and two service aces. Setter Stesha Selsky nearly recorded a triple double with 41 assists, 12 digs and eight kills.
The Cavaliers hit just .136 in the match with 36 kills, while Michigan hit at a .287 clip with 58 kills. UVa held a 9-3 advantage in service aces and a slim 4-1 edge in team blocks. The Wolverines held a 73-64 advantage in digs.
Michigan registered 21 kills and a .298 hitting percentage in winning the first game 30-26. The first frame featured nine ties and four lead changes. Sarah Kirkwood posted five of her 11 kills in the first game. In game two, the Wolverines hit a blistering .472 with 20 kills and only three errors in a 30-21 win. Kirkwood again paced Virginia with five kills. Michigan led throughout the third game and registered a 30-27 win to close out the match. UVa had four aces and three of its four team blocks in the third frame.
Virginia closes out play in the Michigan/Pepsi Challenge Saturday (Sept. 9) at noon against Marquette. Marquette also stands at 1-1 in the tournament and is 3-5 on the season.