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Sept. 25, 2006
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The University of Virginia volleyball team looks to earn a half a point in the Commonwealth Challenge when it hosts Virginia Tech Tuesday night (Sept. 26) at Memorial Gym. The first serve is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. and admission is free of charge.
The contest marks the second and final meeting between the two teams this season. The Hokies earned the first half of a point in the 2006-07 Commonwealth Challenge, presented by Comcast, with a 3-0 (30-28, 30-28, 30-25) win over UVa on Sept. 15 in Blacksburg.
The Cavaliers enter the contest with Virginia Tech with a 9-3 overall record and a 2-1 mark in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Virginia has won its last two matches since dropping its ACC opener to the Hokies. Virginia Tech also stands at 9-3 and sit atop the conference standings with a 3-0 mark in the ACC. The Hokies have won six consecutive matches.
“We’re looking forward to the rematch,” said UVa head coach Melissa Aldrich Shelton. “It promises to be an exciting, emotional match as both teams fight for the chance to keep the Commonwealth Challenge plaque in their locker room for the next year.”
Virginia leads the all-time series with Virginia Tech 26-21. UVa had its four-match winning streak over the Hokies snapped with the 3-0 loss in Blacksburg earlier this season. Virginia has won 11 of the past 13 meeting in the series and is 14-6 vs. Virginia Tech in Charlottesville. The Cavaliers have won nine consecutive home matches over Virginia Tech dating back to the 1993 season. The Hokies’ last win in Charlottesville came on Sept. 1, 1992 (a 3-1 victory).
The Commonwealth Challenge, presented by Comcast, is a friendly comprehensive rivalry series between the two school’s athletics programs on an annual basis that continues the growing relationship between the two in-state members of the Atlantic Coast Conference. With Comcast’s support, it is designed to increase the exposure and interest level in the various sports, while promoting good sportsmanship among student-athletes, coaches and fans of the schools. A point system determines the annual winner of the competition. The two-match volleyball series between the two schools totals one point with the winner of each match garnering .5 points.