Cavaliers Challenge No. 4 Pitt, Virginia Tech
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CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Virginia volleyball (8-5) will make its debut on ACCN when No. 4 Pittsburgh (11-1) visits Memorial Gymnasium on Wednesday night (Sept. 25). First serve is set for 6:30 p.m.
Following the showdown with the Panthers, the Cavaliers host rival Virginia Tech (7-6) on Friday (Sept. 27) for the first of two meetings between the teams in the Commonwealth Clash presented by Virginia529. The match is also scheduled for a 6:30 p.m. start.
GAME COVERAGE
Wednesday’s ACC opener against Pitt marks the first conference volleyball match on ACCN. ACCN is available through participating TV providers. For more information on how to get ACCN, visit GetACCN.com.
Links to the live stream and live stats are available on VirginiaSports.com. The live stream is available only to subscribers whose TV provider carries ACCN.
PROMOTIONS
• Both matches are Sabre Rewards Nights with students receiving five sabre points for attending.
• Friday’s match is also the team’s #SetTheExpectation match. Fans can receive a free #SetTheExpectation band while supplies last and also join the team in signing the pledge.
FOR STARTERS
• The fourth-ranked Panthers are the highest-ranked opponent for the Cavaliers since the 2011 season when Virginia faced No. 1 Cal.
• Pitt is just the third top-five team to visit Memorial Gymnasium in volleyball.
• With eight wins, Virginia has already matched its 2018 season total representing the program’s most victories since 2015.
AGAINST PITT
• Virginia is 3-13 all-time against Pitt with the Panthers taking the last six meetings in the series.
• Five of the last six meetings have been sweeps in favor of Pitt.
• Virginia’s last win over the Panthers came in 2015, a 3-1 victory in Mem Gym.
AGAINST VIRGINIA TECH
• The Virginia-Virginia Tech rivalry is one of the closest series with the Cavaliers trailing 36-37.
• The Cavaliers snapped a six-match losing streak to the Hokies with a 3-2 win in Mem Gym last season.
• Virginia holds a 21-12 edge in Charlottesville.
BUILDING MOMENTUM
Virginia swept the Jefferson Cup last weekend and has now won five of its last six matches heading into ACC play. The Cavaliers’ three-match winning streak matches their longest streak since 2015.
In addition, Virginia’s three victories over the weekend moved the Cavaliers’ win total to eight – tying the entire 2018 campaign. The eight wins match the most for Virginia in non-conference play since 2004.
BILLIARD IS BACK
After a quiet start to the season, junior Sarah Billiard (Matthews, N.C.) returned in a big way during the Jefferson Cup. The right side found her swing, flooring double-digit kills in all three matches.
After posting a season-high 18 kills against Elon on Saturday morning, Billiard capped the evening with a career-high .588 hitting percentage. She terminated 10 kills and did not commit a single error on 17 swings against UNCG.
‘TINE TIME
With the absence of Grace Turner (Cincinnati, Ohio) on the left side, Virginia has turned to junior Christine Jarman (Boynton Beach, Fla.) and freshman Jayna Francis (Virginia Beach, Va.) to fill the void. Serving as the Cavaliers’ second outside hitter, Jarman compiled one of her best matches of the season against Elon in the Jefferson Cup.
Jarman matched her season high with eight kills while also matching a career high with five blocks. Her 10.5 points mark the most for Jarman during her time at UVA.
BOYLSTON SETTLING IN
Freshman setter Maddie Boylston (Mount Pleasant, S.C.) has found a home as Virginia’s second setter in the 6-2 system. Against Elon on Sept. 21, she dished out a career-high 25 assists.
In the Jefferson Cup, Boylston averaged over five assists per set and Virginia converted on her sets at a .421 clip, the highest of any Cavalier setter in the tournament.
THE COMMONWEALTH CLASH
Friday night’s match against the Hokies is part of the Commonwealth Clash presented by Virginia529, the official college savings plan of the University of Virginia. The match is worth one-half point in the annual point rivalry series between Virginia and Virginia Tech. Learn more about Virginia529 and this competition at TheCommonwealthClash.com.