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CHARLOTTESVILLE – The Virginia volleyball team dropped a four-set match to Western Michigan, 3-1 (22-25, 22-25, 25-23, 15-25), Friday (Aug. 26) at Memorial Gymnasium. The Cavaliers and Broncos were playing in the Marriott Cavalier Classic, hosted by UVa. It was the season-opening match for both teams.

Offensively, senior outside hitter Simone Asque (Chicago, Ill.) posted a team-high 12 kills for the Cavaliers. Sophomore outside hitter Rachel Clark (Los Angeles, Calif.) added 11 kills and tied for the team-high with 14 digs.

Junior middle blocker Jessica O’Shoney (Austin, Texas) added nine kills, six digs and four blocks.

The first set was back-and-forth and featured eight ties and two lead changes. With the score tied at 13-13, Western Michigan got back-to-back kills from Terin Norris and Ashley Turnage to create a small amount of separation and never trailed again. The Broncos earned the 25-22 victory in game one on another kill from Brown.

In game two, Western Michigan built a 17-13 lead, prompting a timeout from UVa. The ‘Hoos battled to within one point, 20-19, on a kill by Clark, but Western Michigan responded and did not relinquish the lead to earn the 25-22 victory.

Virginia came out on fire in the third set, building its largest lead at 16-9. Western Michigan got the score within two points down the stretch, but a kill by sophomore Mallory Woolridge (Glen Allen, Va.) put the game away, 25-23, for the ‘Hoos.

The Cavaliers were unable to capitalize on the momentum of the third set, and fell by a score of 25-15 in the fourth and decisive set.

Asque was playing against her younger sister, a sophomore starter on Western Michigan’s squad. The younger Asque posted 11 kills on the night, while her teammate Brown finished with a match-high 14.

Two Cavalier freshmen – Tori Janowski (Sterling, Va.) and Abbey Welborn (Pasadena, Calif.) made their collegiate debuts. Welborn earned the starting nod at libero and finished with 10 digs, while Janowski connected on five kills and added two digs and three blocks.

Sophomore Emily Rottman (Santa Barbara, Calif.) finished the match with 14 digs.

In the first match of the tournament, USC Upstate (1-0) handled Western Carolina (0-1) by a score of 3-0 (25-19, 25-23, 25-17).

The Marriott Cavalier Classic continues Saturday (Aug. 26) with a full slate of matches: Western Michigan vs. Western Carolina (11 a.m.), UVa vs. USC Upstate (1 p.m.), Western Michigan vs. USC Upstate (5 p.m.) and UVa vs. Western Carolina (7 p.m.)

Volleyball season tickets are now on sale. All tickets for the 2011 season are general admission in the bleachers and standing room areas of Memorial Gymnasium. Please note that while entry is guaranteed for all ticketed patrons, the purchase of a season ticket also guarantees a seat in a reserved general admission seating area. All other tickets and admissions are general admission and do not guarantee a seat in the bleachers.

Fans can order season tickets online, in person or by telephone. To purchase tickets online, visit VirginiaSports.com. In-person sales can be made at the Virginia Athletics Ticket Office in Bryant Hall at Scott Stadium on weekdays between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Telephone purchases can be made by calling 1-800-542-UVA1 (8821) or locally at 434-924-UVA1 (8821).

Season tickets for adults are $30, while youth, senior and faculty/staff season tickets are $20. For a single match, general admission tickets are $5 but do not guarantee a seat in the bleachers. Youth, senior and faculty/staff general admission tickets are $4 and group tickets (20 or more) are $3 per ticket. Discounted tickets for active faculty/staff members are limited to two per match.

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