UVa Volleyball Concludes Tourney With 3-0 Win Over Marquette
Story Links
Sept. 9, 2006
ANN ARBOR, Mich. – The Virginia volleyball team wrapped up play in the Michigan/Pepsi Challenge Saturday (Sept. 9) with a 3-0 (30-25, 30-26, 31-29) victory over Marquette at Cliff Keen Arena. With the win, the Cavaliers capture second place in the tourney with a 2-1 record and improve to 7-2 on the season. Marquette drops to 3-6 on the season and finishes third in the tournament with a 1-2 record.
Third-year outside hitter Sarah Kirkwood (Tampa, Fla.) recorded her fifth consecutive double-double and seventh of the season with team highs of 14 kills and 13 digs. Kirkwood also led all players with three service aces and added three blocks. Third-year middle Katie Oakes (Lorton, Va.) posted a .357 hitting percentage with 11 kills and had a match-high tying seven blocks, including two solo stuffs. Second-year middle Shannon Davis (Austin, Texas) rounded out UVa’s players in double figures in kills with 10. She also contributed four blocks, two of which were solo stuffs.
Fourth-year setter Emily Kirkwood (Tampa, Fla.) registered a double-double with a match-high 40 assists and 11 digs. She also added three kills, three blocks and an ace. Second-year outside hitter Beth Shelton (Cincinnati, Ohio) and fourth-year outside hitter Emily Perilli (Thompson’s Station. Tenn.) also reached double digits in digs with 12 and 10 defensive saves, respectively.
Kimberley Todd led Marquette with a match-high 19 kills. She also registered 15 digs. Jamie Mueller added 10 kills and a match-best 16 digs. Setter Monica Renfrow handed out 38 assists and added eight digs, seven kills and three blocks.
Virginia hit .196 in the match with 48 kills, while Marquette posted a .134 hitting percentage with 52 kills. UVa held a 6-2 advantage in service aces and a 13-10 edge in team blocks. Marquette held a 65-57 margin in digs.
The Cavaliers won the first game 30-25 with Davis, Sarah Kirkwood, and Oakes combining for 12 kills. UVa out-hit Marquette .152 to .085 in a come-from-behind 30-26 win in the second game. Virginia was down 12-5 and came back to pull within 26-23. UVa scored the final seven points to earn the win in the second frame. The Cavaliers trailed 14-6 in the third game, but came back to tie the game at 18-18. UVa trailed 29-28, but back-to-back kills by Oakes gave the Cavaliers a 30-29 lead. On match point, first-year outside hitter Lauren Dickson (Austin, Texas) closed out the contest with a kill.
Virginia returns to action on Friday (Sept. 15) when it opens Atlantic Coast Conference play by taking on in-state rival Virginia Tech at 7:00 p.m. in Blacksburg.