Virginia Opens ACC Action at Ninth-Ranked Pittsburgh
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CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Eight days after Virginia (4-6) last stepped on the court, the Cavaliers return to action Wednesday, Sept. 19 at 7 p.m. against No. 9 Pittsburgh (11-0) in the first Atlantic Coast Conference match of the season.
The ninth-ranked Panthers represent the highest-ranked opponent the Cavaliers have faced since 2011 when Virginia took on No. 1 California. Wednesday night marks the 11th time the Cavaliers have faced a top-10 opponent and the 73rd contest against a ranked foe. Virginia has never faced a ranked Pittsburgh squad.
Wednesday night’s match will air on ACC Network Extra, which is available to authenticated subscribers of ESPN3 through WatchESPN and the ESPN app.
SERIES HISTORY
• Virginia and Pitt meet for the 16th time on Wednesday night, with the Panthers holding a 12-3 advantage in the series.
• The Cavaliers’ last victory over Pitt came on Oct. 2, 2015, in 3-1 fashion at home.
• The Panthers have won each of the past five meetings, including a pair of 3-0 decisions in 2017.
BACK IN ACTION
• Virginia’s matchup with No. 9 Pitt marks its first action in eight days after Hurricane Florence forced the cancellation of the VCU Invitational.
• The match also marks the beginning of ACC action for the Cavaliers.
• The Panthers are the second ranked foe for Virginia this season after the Cavaliers fell, 3-1, to No. 21 Iowa State on opening weekend.
IN THE RANKINGS
• Sarah Billiard (Matthews, N.C.) is third in the ACC and 50th in the country with 4.05 kills per set.
• Chino Anukwuem (East Hanover, N.J.) sits ninth in the league and 86th nationally with a .356 hitting percentage.
• Setter Megan Wilson (Brookeville, Md.) sits fifth in the ACC with 9.66 assists per set.
SCOUTING PITT
• Pittsburgh is off to its best start (11-0) since 1983.
• The Panthers are led by outside hitter Kayla Lund, who sits second in the ACC with 4.18 kills per set.
• Middle blocker Layne Van Buskirk ranks second in the ACC and 18th nationally with a .416 hitting percentage.
• The Panthers lead the league and the country in team hitting percentage at .317.
• Pittsburgh is one of six remaining unbeatens in 2018.
LOOKING AHEAD
The Cavaliers will continue the ACC-opening road trip on Sunday (Sept. 23) with a 1 p.m. match at Virginia Tech.