Virginia Travels to Virginia Tech and Pitt

Story Links

Sept. 29, 2016

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The Virginia volleyball team makes its first ACC road trip this weekend, traveling to Virginia Tech on Friday (Sept. 30) at 7 p.m. for a Commonwealth Clash match before going to Pitt on Sunday (Oct. 2) a 1 p.m.

Both matches will be streamed live on the ACC Network Extra on WatchESPN. Links for the stream and live stats will be available on VirginiaSports.com.

Virginia (3-11, 0-2 ACC) opened ACC play last weekend, falling to Wake Forest, 3-1, and being edged by Duke, 3-2, in a five-set thriller. In the matches last weekend, six of the nine sets were decided by three points or less. Senior Haley Kole (Tallahassee, Fla.) led the UVA offense in each match with 23 kills and a career-high 25 kills, respectively.

UVA ranks fourth in the ACC in blocks, averaging 2.42 blocks per set. Virginia has recorded double-figure blocks in seven matches, including three-straight matches heading into this weekend’s contests. Freshman Chino Anukwuem (East Hanover, N.J.) ranks sixth in the ACC with 1.31 blocks per set.

Virginia Tech (6-8, 1-2 ACC) is coming off a 3-1 loss to Pitt on Wednesday. Lindsey Owens leads the Hokies with 3.13 kills per set, while Jaila Tolbert paces the offense with a .329 hitting percentage. Cara Cunningham leads the defense with 1.37 blocks per set and Carol Raffety is third in the ACC with 4.47 digs per set.

Virginia and Virginia Tech split the meetings last season, with both teams winning at home. UVA has a 35-32 advantage in the series.

The Commonwealth Clash presented by Virginia529 is a head-to-head, points-based competition between the athletic teams at University of Virginia and Virginia Tech. The Commonwealth Clash encourages a friendly, statewide rivalry between the two schools across all school-sponsored sports with 22 individual event points on the line. The school that accumulates 11.5 points or more will be crowned the winner and take home the Virginia529 Commonwealth Clash trophy. Visit www.TheCommonwealthClash.com for more information and updated standings

Pitt (12-3, 3-0 ACC) has won five-straight matches, with three of those coming in conference play. The Panthers lead the league in hitting percentage (.265) and and kills (13.61). Stephanie Williams ranks sixth in the ACC with 3.74 kills per set and Layne Van Buskirk is fourth in hitting percentage (.402) to lead the Panthers. Jenna Potts is fifth in blocks per set (1.32) and Angela Seman is fourth in digs (4.38) to guide the Pitt defense.

UVA and Pitt split the meetings in 2015, with the Cavaliers winning 3-1 at home, but falling 3-0 on the road. The Panthers lead the Cavaliers 8-3 in the series. The last time UVA won in Pittsburgh was Oct. 5, 2013, when they defeated the Panthers 3-2.

Virginia will be back at home following this weekend to host Georgia Tech (Oct. 7) and Clemson (Oct. 8) in Memorial Gymnasium.