Virginia Heads South to Face UNC, NC State

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CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The Virginia volleyball team hits the road this weekend to face ACC opponents North Carolina and NC State. The Cavaliers are set to take on the Tar Heels on Friday at 5 p.m. and the Wolfpack on Sunday at 1 p.m. Live statistics will be available for both matches.

The Cavaliers are coming off a split weekend, falling to No. 16 Florida State, 0-3, and topping Miami, 3-2, in Memorial Gymnasium.

Virginia (10-14, 5-8 ACC) is led by sophomore Simone Asque’s 316 kills. Asque is ranked second in the league with 3.72 kills per set and has earned the last two ACC Player of the Week honors. Freshman Rachel Gray has contributed 822 assists and defensively, junior AJ Cushman leads the team with 304 digs and has landed 32 service aces, while freshman Jess O’Shoney has blocked 61 attacks.

North Carolina (11-12, 7-5 ACC) is coming off a 0-2 week, falling to Georgia Tech and Clemson. The Tar Heels are led by Ingrid Hanson-Tuntland with 228 kills, while Cora Harms has dished out 580 assists. Defensively, Kaylie Gibson has dug 353 attacks and Heather Brooks has blocked 75.

NC State (7-20, 0-12 ACC) is also coming off a 0-2 week with losses to Clemson and Georgia Tech. Kelly Wood leads the attack with 187 kills. Alex Smith has dished out 618 assists, while Lindsay Benac leads the defense with 368 digs.

In the all-time series with the two schools, Virginia trails North Carolina, 15-33, while leading NC State, 33-20. The Tar Heels and Cavaliers have faced each other at least once a year since 1980, with Virginia winning four of the last seven contests.

Against the Wolfpack, Virginia has won 27 of the last 28 meetings and swept NC State earlier this season.

Following this weekend, the Cavaliers will return to Charlottesville to face off against Wake Forest on Friday, Nov. 13 at 7 p.m. Virginia will conclude the weekend with a match against Duke at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 14.