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Virginia Downs Central Connecticut State

Box Score (25-23, 25-21, 25-27, 25-20)
Box Score (PDF)
Highlights

COLLEGE PARK, Md. — The Virginia volleyball team (2-1) won its second match of the day after defeating Central Connecticut State (0-3) in four sets (25-23, 25-21, 25-27, 25-20) Saturday afternoon at Maryland’s XFINITY Center Pavilion. The Cavaliers received strong performances from middle blocker Alana Walker, who posted 11 kills and a match-high seven blocks while hitting .526 and libero Kristen Leland, who notched a career-high 23 digs. Additionally, Virginia outside hitter Grace Turner and right side hitter Mary Shaffer were named to the All-Tournament Team.

HOW IT HAPPENED

  • The Cavaliers won their fourth consecutive set of the day after a 5-0 run in the middle of the frame gave Virginia a lead and the momentum. Later, both teams were tied, 22-22, but two kills and an ace secured the set No. 1 win for the Hoos.
  • Virginia led by as many as six (18-12) in the second, but the Blue Devils chipped away the UVA lead, cutting it to 22-21. A CCSU service error, followed by a kill by Shaffer and a CCSU attack error sealed the set in favor of the Cavaliers heading into intermission.
  • Coming out of the break, the Blue Devils jumped out to an early 6-1 lead, but Virginia gradually cut its deficit and eventually both teams were knotted at 24-24. Set No. 3 marked the first of the season for the Cavaliers to require extra plays. Back-to-back CCSU kills put the Blue Devils on the scoreboard for the first time of the day.
  • Trailing 13-11 in the fourth, Virginia registered seven unanswered points. After struggling offensively earlier in the, Turner dialed up seven of her 11 kills in frame No. 4. Turner capped off her day by claiming UVA’s final four points of the match on three kills and a block solo.

MATCH NOTES

  • The meeting was the first between the two teams.
  • Walker, Turner and Shaffer all registered 11 kills each.
  • Turner also finished tied for a match-high three service aces. For the tournament, Turner averaged a team-best 2.55 kills per set and 0.91 blocks per set and registered nine service aces (0.82/set).
  • Shaffer hit .278 and averaged 2.55 kills per set and 0.82 blocks per set as the Cavaliers’ starting right side hitter at the tournament.

UP NEXT

  • Virginia hosts its first of two home tournaments this season at Memorial Gymnasium.
  • The Cavaliers are set to face Akron on Friday at 7 p.m., followed by a contest against Winthrop on Saturday at 2 p.m.
  • Both matches are expected to stream on ACCNX. All 2021 regular season matches in Mem Gym are free to the public

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