Cavaliers Welcome ACC Foes Pitt, Virginia Tech

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Oct. 1, 2015

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – For the first time since Sept. 5, the Virginia volleyball team (9-4, 1-1 ACC) returns to Memorial Gymnasium to host Pittsburgh at 7 p.m. on Friday in its ACC home opener, before welcoming Virginia Tech at 7 p.m. on Saturday in a Commonwealth Clash match.

Live stats for the match will be available through VirginiaSports.com and the match video will be streamed live through the Cavaliers Live subscription package.

Single-match general admission tickets are $5. Youth, senior and faculty/staff general admission tickets are $4 and group tickets (20 or more) are $3 per ticket. Fans can order tickets online at VirginiaSports.com and by phone through the Virginia Athletics Ticket Office at 800-542-UVA1 (8821) or 434-924-UVA1 (8821). Tickets are also available at the gate beginning one hour prior to the start of each match.

Game-day parking for volleyball matches is available free of charge at the Culbreth Road Garage, located behind Carr’s Hill Field. Limited parking is available at the Central Grounds Garage (hourly rates apply).

Virginia split its matches to open ACC play last weekend. The Cavaliers defeated Duke, 3-1, on the road for the first time since 2003, but fell just short in five sets at Wake Forest, 3-2. UVA is tied for the league-lead in hitting percentage, averaging a clip of .264.

Pittsburgh (12-3, 2-1 ACC) is coming off a 3-1 loss to Virginia Tech on Wednesday night. The Panthers had won five-straight matches prior to that and are receiving votes in the most recent AVCA Coaches Poll. Pitt leads the ACC with 14.57 kills per set.

UVA is looking for its first win over Pittsburgh at home, with both of its wins in the series coming on the road. The Cavaliers trail 7-2 all-time in the series.

Virginia Tech (11-4, 2-1 ACC) has won its last two matches, including a 3-1 win over Pittsburgh. The Hokies are fourth in the league in hitting percentage (.258) as well as opponent hitting percentage (.165).

Last season Virginia and Virginia Tech split in the two meetings, with each team winning on the road. UVA holds a 34-31 advantage all time versus the Hokies.

Saturday’s match will be the first meeting in this year’s Commonwealth Clash. The Cavaliers won the inaugural year of the competition last season, 15-7.

The match is sponsored by Virginia529, the official college savings plan of the University of Virginia Athletics. There is also a half point at stake in the Virginia529 Commonwealth Clash, the point rivalry series between University of Virginia and Virginia Tech. This is the first contest of the year, so the score is currently tied at zero. Learn more about Virginia529 and this new competition at TheCommonwealthClash.com.

Promotions
All fans are invited to attend a Chalk Talk with head coach Dennis Hohenshelt prior to the match. The event will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the upstairs classroom. Free Domino’s pizza and drinks will be provided for season ticket holders in attendance.

Saturday’s match has also been designated as the Dig Pink match. The first 300 fans will receive a free pink t-shirt.

There will be a free youth clinic from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. for children of all skill levels, eighth grade and under. Cavman’s Crew members can use one of their free admission vouchers for the match and there will be face painting and a balloon artist in attendance beginning at 6:30 p.m.