Virginia Defeats Navy, Alabama in Cavalier Classic

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Box Score Sept. 6, 2014
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CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va.–The Virginia volleyball team defeated both Navy and Alabama by a score of 3-1 on the second day of the Cavalier Classic Saturday (Sept. 6) at Memorial Gymnasium.

With the wins, the Cavaliers improved to 6-0 to start a season for the first time since 2003, when UVa began the year 16-0.

“We were a lot better this weekend than last weekend,” UVa head coach Dennis Hohenshelt said. “Our offense is starting to look like how it is supposed to look, our passing was much better and our serving gave us some easy points. We still have more to work on, but I’m pleased with the effort we displayed against three good opponents this weekend.”

Junior Natalie Bausback (Carlsbad, Calif.) was named the tournament MVP for the second week in a row. Bausback hit .647 with 11 kills against no errors against Alabama and added 12 kills against LIU Brooklyn.

“Natalie has been playing fantastic for us and has been our best player in all six matches so far this season,” Hohenshelt said.

Against Alabama (5-2), the Cavaliers hit .348 as a team, including 55 kills against only 15 errors, and went on to win, 25-21, 25-23, 18-25, 25-21. Virginia had nine service aces to the Crimson Tide’s six.

Junior Lauren Fuller (Manhattan Beach, Calif.) had 44 assists, while adding five kills and was named to the all-tournament team for her efforts.

Senior Tori Janowski (Sterling, Va.) recorded 14 kills on .393 hitting, while junior Kayla Sears (Moorpark, Calif.) had a career-high five aces with 12 kills. It was the first time a Cavalier has had five aces since Janowski accomplished the feat against Montana on Aug. 31, 2013.

Kat Hudson hit .429 with 17 kills to lead Alabama.

In the first match, the Cavaliers hit .351 as a team on the way to a 25-16, 24-26, 25-23, 25-20 win over Navy (2-4). Senior Morgan Blair (Long Valley, N.J.) hit .444 with six blocks, while Bausback hit .421 with 10 kills.

Sears added 10 kills, while Fuller dished out 43 assists and sophomore Lexi Riccolo (Wheaton, Ill.) had a match-high 16 digs.

Katie Sylakowski led Navy with 13 kills on .571 hitting.

The Cavaliers return to action next weekend (Sept. 12-13) when they travel to Evanston, Ill., for the Wildcat Invitational. Virginia plays Loyola Chicago and Youngstown State on the 12th and tournament-host Northwestern on the 13th.

Cavalier Classic All-Tournament Team
Natalie Bausback – Virginia – MVP
Lauren Fuller – Virginia
Annika Foit – LIU Brooklyn
Adriana Vinas Joy – LIU Brooklyn
Krystal Rivers – Alabama
Katie Sylakowski – Navy