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Virginia Opens 2014 Season at Marshall Thunder Invitational
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Aug. 28, 2014
| Virginia at Marshall Thunder Invitational | |
| Date | Fri.-Sat., Aug. 29-30 |
| Location | Huntington, W.Va. | Cam Henderson Center |
| Multimedia/Game Info | Tournament Central (includes GameTracker and live video links) |
| Additional Information | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram |
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va.-The Virginia volleyball team opens the 2014 season this weekend (Aug. 29-30) at the Marshall Thunder Invitational in Huntington, W.Va. The Cavaliers face Illinois-Chicago on Friday at 7:30 p.m., before playing Eastern Michigan and Marshall on Saturday at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m., respectively.
Live statistics for all three matches will be available through VirginiaSports.com. Live video for the Marshall match will also be available (subscription required) through VirginiaSports.com.
The Cavaliers return five starters from the squad that went 18-14 (11-9 ACC) in 2013 after going 9-22 (3-17) in 2012. Virginia finished over .500 in both ACC play and during the entire regular season for the first time since 2008. UVa is picked to finish sixth in the 2014 conference preseason poll and junior setter Lauren Fuller (Manhattan Beach, Calif.) and sophomore outside hitter Jasmine Burton (White Hills, Calif.) were selected to the Preseason All-ACC Team.
UIC finished 2013 with a 9-21 record (4-10 Horizon League), but returns its leading hitter, Sara Jo Sternard, who averaged 3.02 kills per set. The Cavaliers lead the series with the Flames, 2-0, with the last match a 3-1 win for UVa on Nov. 3, 1989.
EMU went 18-16 in 2013 (6-10 MAC) and returns leading hitter Stacey Perinar (2.70 kills per set) and defensive specialist Corynne Smith (5.34 digs per set). The Eagles lead the all-time series over UVa, 2-0. The last match was a 3-0 win for EMU on Sept. 8, 1990.
The host Thundering Herd were 16-16 in 2013 (8-6 C-USA) and return setter Sammie Bane, who averaged 10.63 assists per set. Virginia leads the series with Marshall, 5-1, and has won the last five meetings between the teams. UVa was victorious, 3-0, last season on Aug. 30, 2013 at Memorial Gymnasium.
Up next, Virginia hosts the Cavalier Classic Sept. 5-6 at Memorial Gymnasium. The Cavaliers face LIU Brooklyn on Friday at 7 p.m., before playing Navy and Alabama on Saturday at 10 a.m. and 7 p.m., respectively.