Virginia Falls in Four to Notre Dame

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va.  – For a fourth match in-a-row, Virginia (6-14, 2-8 ACC) claimed the opening set but the Cavaliers were unable to hold off Notre Dame (12-8, 6-4 ACC) in a 24-26, 25-11, 25-17, 25-15 loss on Sunday (Oct. 21) in Memorial Gymnasium.
 
Alex Spencer (North Canton, Ohio) finished with 10 kills and 16 digs to earn her first double-double of the season. Sarah Billiard (Matthews, N.C.) also finished the match with 10 kills to co-lead the Cavaliers.
 
Notre Dame was led by Jemma Yeadon with 18 kills. Sydney Bent and Charley Niego each dug up 14 attacks to lead the Irish defensively.
 
SET 1: Virginia 26, Notre Dame 24
Virginia created space with a 3-0 run to open a 13-10 advantage. Spencer had one of her set-leading five kills to spark the quick run. The Cavaliers would hold the lead until a 4-0 Notre Dame run reversed the score line and gave the Irish set point at 24-22.
 
Once again, the Cavaliers turned to Spencer, who floored back-to-back kills to cap a 4-0 Virginia run to take the set 26-24.
 
SET 2: Notre Dame 25, Virginia 11
Notre Dame libero Ryann DeJarld served the Irish to an early 6-0 run, establishing a 12-4 lead. The run included a trio of aces and Virginia never recovered from the slow start.
 
The Irish hit .391 in the set and finished with seven aces.
 
SET 3: Notre Dame 25, Virginia 17
Notre Dame built a narrow 11-8 lead after the two squads traded points early. Virginia responded with a 3-0 run, highlighted by a kill and block from Milla Ciprian (St. John’s, Fla.).
 
For a second straight set, the Irish rode the serve of DeJarld to a decisive run. Notre Dame scored five straight points, four coming on Virginia errors, to take a 19-14 lead. The Irish saw out the 25-17 victory while holding Virginia to -.028 hitting in the frame.
 
SET 4: Notre Dame 25, Virginia 15
Notre Dame used a 5-1 run to build a quick 5-2 lead after Virginia claimed the opening point of the frame. The Cavaliers responded right away, storming to a 5-0 run to claim an 8-7 lead.
 
The Irish, however, found another huge run, reeling off seven consecutive points to build a commanding 19-11 lead. Notre Dame went on to claim the set 25-15 to clinch the match.
 
QUICK HITS
• Grace Turner (Cincinnati, Ohio) racked up 15 digs in the loss.
• Libero Kelsey Miller (Crestwood, Ky.) added 12 digs.
• Ciprian finished the match with six kills and a team-leading four blocks.

UP NEXT
Virginia faces four straight matches on the road, beginning with a Friday (Oct. 26) tilt at Duke.