Virginia Opens Home Slate Against Akron, Winthrop

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The Virginia volleyball team (2-1) hosts Akron (3-0) and Winthrop (0-3) in the Cavaliers’ first of two home tournaments this season. UVA is set to take on the Zips at 7 p.m. on Friday before challenging the Eagles on Saturday at 2 p.m.

HOW TO FOLLOW THE ACTION

• Both matches are set to stream on ACCNX.
• Live stats will also be provided for both matches and links to both the stream and live stats are available at VirginiaSports.com.
• Fans can also get updates by following Virginia Volleyball’s official Twitter account (@UVAVolleyball).

FULL TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE

PARKING AT MEMORIAL GYMNASIUM

• Fans wishing to attend Virginia volleyball matches in Mem Gym are encouraged to park in Culbreth Road Garage (free), Central Grounds Garage (hourly) or Emmet/Ivy Garage (hourly).
• During normal hours of operation, visitors can now pay for parking at Central Grounds Garage or Emmet/Ivy Garage using the ParkMobile app.
• On Virginia football home game dates, parking for Mem Gym is available via the Central Grounds and Emmy/Ivy parking garages at a per-game price of $15. Culbreth Road Garage is still free of charge on home football game dates.

LAST TIME OUT

• Last weekend, Virginia began its 43rd season by going 2-1 at the Maryland Invite after securing a pair of wins over Hofstra and Central Connecticut State on Aug. 28.
• Cavaliers’ right side hitter Mary Shaffer and outside hitter Grace Turner were named to the All-Tournament Team.
• Shaffer hit .278 and averaged 2.55 kills per set and 0.82 blocks per set, while Turner average a team-best 2.55 kills per set and 0.91 blocks per set and totaled nine service aces (0.82/set).
• Turner set the tone for the Cavaliers from behind the service line as she dialed up five of UVA’s 10 total aces in its four-set win over the Pride.

SERIES HISTORY

• Virginia’s upcoming contest against Akron marks just the third meeting between both teams. The Cavaliers own the all-time series, 2-0. Friday’s match will mark the first non-neutral site meeting between the two teams.
• Saturday’s matchup against Winthrop marks the second-ever meeting between UVA and the Eagles. The first and only meeting was on Oct. 18, 1980, when the Eagles defeated Virginia 2-0 (12-15, 13-15).

 CAVALIERS WELCOME HEAD COACH SHANNON WELLS

• On April 26, 2021, Virginia Director of Athletics Carla Williams announced the hiring of Shannon Wells as the ninth head volleyball coach in program history.
• Wells came to UVA having spent the last seven seasons at Florida, including the last four seasons in which she served as Associate Head Coach (2017-20).
• While at Florida, Wells guided the Gators to seven consecutive NCAA tournament appearances and achieved a record of 184-33 (.848).

WELLS’ WINTHROP CONNECTION

• Wells served as an assistant coach on Winthrop’s coaching staff from 2007-09.
• In her three seasons at WU, Wells helped lead the Eagles to a 20-win season and a share of the Big South Conference regular-season title in 2007 after going 11-1 in conference place.
• Wells also mentored the 2007 Big South Player of the Year Shannon Sitzman.
• In 2009, Wells and the Eagles finished 19-11 overall and 11-5 in Big South play while producing yet another Big South Player of the Year selection in Kelley Taylor.