Cavaliers Sweep VCU in Front of Capacity Crowd

Story Links

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. Playing in front of a capacity crowd of 714 in the first home match of the season, first-year head coach Lee Maes and the Virginia volleyball team swept Virginia Commonwealth, 3-0, to open play at the Marriott Jefferson Cup.

Led by second-year Kendahl Voelker’s (Fort Myers, Fla.)14 kills and career-high .684 attack percentage, the Cavaliers rallied for three identical set scores, 25-22, 25-22 and 25-22, to defeat the Rams. In the first match of the session, Appalachian State defeated Binghamton, 3-1 (26-24, 23-25, 25-19, 28-26).

For the match, third-year Lauren Dickson (Austin, Texas) collected her third-consecutive double-double, knocking down 10 kills and leading Virginia’s defensive effort with 11 digs. Third-year Brittani Rendina (Lisle, Ill.) and second-year Kelly Irvin (Pacific Palisades, Calif.) each collected nine digs.

In making her first collegiate start, first-year Simone Asque (Chicago, Ill.) knocked down a personal-best 10 kills and fourth-year Marlow Bruneau (Lakeville, Minn.) dished out 31 assists.

At the net, the Cavaliers collected 10 team blocks, led by second-year Sydney Hill (Kalamazoo, Mich.) and fourth-year Shannon Davis (Austin, Texas), who each posted five. Bruneau helped block four Ram attacks.

In the first game, the Cavaliers contested closely against the VCU Rams. A kill from Asque drove apart a tied game at 17-17 and started an 8-5 run to lead the team to victory. Dickson put the finishing touches on the win with a final kill to end the game, 25-22. Virginia finished the frame with a .306 attack percentage.

In the second set, VCU started off strong with three unanswered points. Dickson then brought on a strong serve and the Cavaliers’ offense took off. The game remained close but important kills from Dickson and Voelker led Virginia to the win, with an identical 25-22 score.

The third game started off with a bang as the Cavaliers made a 5-0 run. VCU responded soon after with a five point run of their own, bringing the game back into close contestation. The battle continued back and forth, but the Cavaliers finishing off the match with a third-straight 25-22 victory.

The Marriott Jefferson Cup will resume tomorrow, with a contest between ASU and VCU at 10:30 a.m. Virginia will take the court, hosting Binghamton at 1 p.m., and Binghamton and Virginia Commonwealth will square off at 4:30 p.m. Virginia and Appalachian State will wrap up tournament play, facing off in the finale, at 7 p.m.