Cavaliers Defeat BC 3-1

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CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. The Virginia volleyball team (9-6, 4-2 ACC) knocked off Boston College (8-8, 2-4 ACC) 3-1 Friday at Memorial Gymnasium. All-American Sarah Kirkwood led the Cavaliers with a match-high 21 kills in the winning effort.

Virginia claimed the first game 30-25, taking an early lead and never letting Boston College go ahead. After the Eagles won game two 30-27, the Cavaliers fought back to overwhelm BC 30-16 in game three and take the match with a 30-23 victory in game four.

“That second game was really our errors,” Virginia head coach Melissa Aldrich Shelton said. “Boston College is a good team but we can’t have that many errors. We weren’t really in rhythm, but it’s kind of a new life again for us. We’re getting there. People who have been playing in the same places for most of the season are doing well. We are just looking forward to playing again tomorrow night and seeing what we can do.”

Virginia hit .263 for the match and BC finished with a .168 hitting percentage.

Kirkwood posted a .500 hitting percentage with her 21 kills and three errors in 36 attack attempts. Third year Shannon Davis also had a solid outing with 12 kills and finished with a .423 hitting percentage with just one error in 26 attempts.

Katie Oakes and Kendahl Voelker tallied eight kills apiece. First year setter Kelly Irvin also had a good night, recording a personal-best 50 assists. Kirkwood also notched five services aces against the Eagles.

Defensively, rookie A.J. Cushman and Kirkwood recorded 12 digs apiece, while Irvin added 10 digs.

Audrey Eichler paced BC with 15 kills. Kelsey Johnson added 13 kills and a team-best 12 digs. Cathy Quilico also added 12 digs.

The Cavaliers will play host to Maryland at 5 p.m. Saturday in Memorial Gymnasium.