Virginia Hosts Virginia Tech in ACC Home-Opener

Sept. 26, 2017

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The Virginia volleyball team (4-9, 0-2 ACC) opens ACC play at home when its hosts Virginia Tech (6-7, 0-2 ACC) at 7 p.m. on Wednesday night at Memorial Gymnasium.

TRACK THE MATCH
The match will be streamed live on ACC Network Extra through ESPN3 or the WatchESPN app with Zealand Shannon (play-by-play) and Chelsea Shine Wilson (color). Live stats as well as the live stream link will be available on VirginiaSports.com.

HOOS HITS
Virginia is coming off a close match at Miami on Sunday where the Cavaliers forced a tie-breaking fifth set, but fell just short.

The Cavaliers jumped up to third in the league in service aces per set (1.37) after recording 16 in their last two matches. UVA had 10 against No. 19 Florida State and six at Miami.

Freshman Megan Wilson (Brookeville, Md.) had seven of those 16 aces, including five at FSU. It was the first time since 2015 UVA has had a player with five or more aces in a match.

Freshman Alex Spencer (Canton, Ohio) had her third double-double of the season, which leads the team, after putting down 14 kills and grabbing 14 digs against Miami.

Sophomore Jelena Novakovic (Belgrade, Serbia) leads UVA with 3.11 kills per set. Novakovic has recorded double-digit kills in eight matches this season.

OPPONENT INFO
Virginia Tech is also coming off losses at Miami and Florida State this past weekend. The Hokies are led by Kaity Smith with 3.97 kills per set and 4.24 points per set. Setter Rhegan Mitchell is third in the ACC with 9.96 assists per set.

Virginia has a 35-34 advantage in the all-time series with Virginia Tech. The teams met twice in 2016, with the Hokies winning bot matches. UVA’s last win over VT came on Oct. 2, 2015 at home.

The game is sponsored by Virginia529, the official college savings plan of University of Virginia Athletics. It is also a potential half-point in the Virginia529 Commonwealth Clash, the point rivalry series between University of Virginia and Virginia Tech. The score for the Clash is now University of Virginia – 1 and Virginia Tech – 0. Learn more about Virginia529 and this competition at TheCommonwealthClash.com.

PROMOTIONS
It is a Sabre Rewards night, with students in attendance receiving five Sabre Rewards points. The first 300 students in attendance will receive free chips and queso from Qdoba. The first 300 students who have not received free Hoo Crew t-shirts will have the opportunity to pick those up. All students should enter via the doors on Emmett Street.

PARKING
Game-day parking for volleyball matches is available free of charge at the Culbreth Road Garage, located behind Carr’s Hill Field.

BAG POLICY
Virginia athletics has updated its bag policies to mirror those already in place for Scott Stadium. At Klöckner Stadium, Turf Field and Memorial Gymnasium the following procedures have been put into effect.

All guests are subject to inspection and search for prohibited items. Event staff will examine the contents of bags, jackets, pockets, or any other personal item before admitting guests to the facility. In order to expedite entrance into the facility, it is recommended that guests not bring bags to events and arrive early at the facility entrances.

Prohibited Items

• Artificial noisemakers^ – see exception below for men’s and women’s soccer games at Klöckner Stadium
• Balls, Frisbees, lacrosse sticks, and similar items
• Containers (including plastic or glass bottles, cans, coolers, or flasks)
• Food and beverages
• Strollers (except umbrella strollers) – prohibited at Scott Stadium only
• Umbrellas – prohibited at Scott Stadium only
• Weapons

^For men’s and women’s soccer matches only, artificial noisemakers are allowed; however air horns, whistles, bullhorns or devices that amplify electric sound, including battery-operated devices, are prohibited.

*The University of Virginia reserves the right to prohibit any item deemed hazardous or disruptive to the athletics event or the enjoyment of the event by other guests.

The above procedures are designed to provide a safe and positive experience for all fans in attendance at Virginia athletics events.