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CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The Virginia volleyball team will conclude a four-match homestand this weekend, hosting Maryland and Boston College on Friday and Saturday, respectively. The Cavaliers faced both teams earlier this season, sweeping Boston College in Power Gym to claim their first Atlantic Coast Conference win this season. Virginia followed up that win with a 3-1 victory over the Terrapins in Comcast Center Pavilion.
Three Cavaliers have reached the 200-kills plateau this season, led by third-year Lauren Dickson’s (Austin, Texas) 259 kills. Fourth-year Shannon Davis (Austin, Tex,) is at 208 and first-year Simone Asque (Chicago, Ill.) has knocked down 200.
Third-year Brittani Rendina (Lisle, Ill.) reached the 400-dig mark over the weekend and entered the program’s single season dig records, currently sitting 10th and needing just three more to advance into ninth place.
Second-year Sydney Hill (Kalamazoo, Mich.) has totaled 117 blocks, while fourth-year Marlow Bruneau (Lakeville, Minn.) and second-year Kelly Irvin (Pacific Palisades, Calif.) share setting duties. Bruneau has tallied 600 assists, while Irvin is at 361.
The Eagles and Terrapins have both dropped 13 of their last 14 matches, and bring a three-match losing skid into this weekend’s competition.
Maryland (6-21, 2-13 ACC) is led by Katie Usher’s 242 kills and .273 attack percentage. Hayley Hanson has dished out 455 assists, while Sharon Strizak has distributed 329. Bethany Springer leads the team defensively with 400 digs.
Boston College (7-19, 1-13 ACC) is led by Jordan Meredith, who has landed 267 kills, and Melanie Cimino, who is hitting .249. Brittany Pierpont has distributed 478 assists, while Dani Moskitis has tallied 320 helpers.
The Terrapins enter the contest leading the all-time series 33-17. Dating back to 1980, Virginia and Maryland have met every year since 1982, with the Cavaliers winning the last five matches.
Virginia has only dropped one match to the Eagles. The Cavaliers lead Boston College 7-1 in the all-time series, with BC’s only win coming in 2007 at Power Gym. The Eagles have never defeated Virginia in Memorial Gymnasium.
Following the weekend, the Cavaliers head on the road for their final road contests of the season. Virginia will visit Wake Forest on Friday, Nov. 21, before traveling to Duke on Saturday, Nov. 22. Both matches are slated for 7 p.m.