Story Links

Aug. 26, 2016

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The Virginia volleyball team (1-0) opened up the 2016 season with a 3-0 (25-16, 25-21, 25-20) sweep over Buffalo on Friday morning in Memorial Gymnasium.

The Cavaliers out-hit Buffalo with a .274 attack percentage to .140. UVA also led in digs, 32-24, and blocks, 10-7.

Seniors Jasmine Burton (West Hills, Calif.) and Haley Kole (Tallahassee, Fla.) led the UVA attack with 11 and 10 kills, respectively. Freshman Kiley Banker (West Lafayette, Ind.) added nine kills in her collegiate debut. Rachel Sanks led Buffalo with seven kills.

Redshirt freshman Kat Young (Chantilly, Va.) tallied six kills with no errors and had a team-high six blocks in her first appearance for the Cavaliers. Redshirt junior Meghan McDowell (Clarendon Hills, Ill.) dished out 39 assists to lead the efficient offense.

Defensively, senior libero Lexi Riccolo (Wheaton, Ill.) and freshman Jane Horner (Mission Viejo, Calif.) led the back line with nine digs apiece and Kole added seven digs.

Freshman Chino Anukwuem (East Hanover, N.J.) and freshman Kelsey Miller (Crestwood, Ky.) also made their collegiate debuts in the match.

Virginia came out strong with a 25-16 win in the first set, led by six kills from redshirt junior Alex Thorson (Spring, Texas). The two teams battled in the second set with nine ties and three lead changes. Banker was the leading hitter with six kills for the Cavaliers.

It was another tight set in the third, with six ties and three lead changes. UVA picked up five blocks in the third set, while Kole and Burton led the offense with four kills each.

Virginia will return to action in its second game of the Cavalier Classic tonight at 7 p.m. against George Washington in Memorial Gymnasium.

Print Friendly Version