Story Links

CHARLOTTESVILLE – For the first time in program history, the Virginia volleyball team will play the nation’s No. 1-ranked team when it hosts the Holiday Inn Jefferson Cup Invitational this weekend (Sept. 2-3) at Memorial Gymnasium.

In addition to the Cavaliers and top-ranked California, East Carolina and Long Island University will compete at the tournament. Action begins on Friday (Sept. 2) with a full day of matches: Virginia vs. ECU (11 a.m.), Cal vs. Long Island (1 p.m.), Long Island vs. East Carolina (5 p.m.) and the nightcap (7 p.m.) which features Virginia vs. Cal.

On Saturday (Sept. 3), Virginia plays Long Island at 3 p.m. after Cal and ECU square off at 1 p.m.

Due to the football game on Saturday, parking is available for $10 in the Emmet/Ivy and Central Grounds garages. Free parking is available at John Paul Jones Arena and University Hall.

Virginia (2-1) is coming off a strong showing at the Marriott Cavalier Classic, picking up 3-0 wins against USC Upstate and Western Carolina.

Juniors Jessica O’Shoney (Austin, Texas) and Beth Wildermuth (San Clemente, Calif.) were named to the all-tournament team. On the season, senior Simone Asque (Chicago, Ill.) leads the team by averaging 3.4 kills per set.

Asque enters the weekend with 1,072 career kills and needs two more to enter Virginia’s all-time top 10 in the category.

East Carolina (1-0) is coming off a four-set victory over Gardner-Webb. Scheduled matches against Presbyterian and Florida Atlantic during ECU’s opening weekend were canceled due to Hurricane Irene.

Britney Roper and Jackie Varnum each had 13 kills against Gardner-Webb to lead the Pirates offensively.

California (3-0) is ranked No. 1 for the first time in school history by the AVCA. The Bears defeated UC Riverside, Fairfield and Florida International in straight sets on opening weekend.

Long Island (0-3) is dropped matches to Cal Poly, Fresno State and San Diego to open its season.

Following the Holiday Inn Jefferson Cup, Virginia travels to the Ohio Volleyball Tournament in Athens, Ohio. The Cavaliers are scheduled to take on Marshall (Sept. 9), Louisville (Sept. 10) and the host Bobcats (Sept. 11).

Print Friendly Version