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Virginia Sweeps Bellarmine in Friday’s Opening Match

Box Score (26-24, 25-11, 26-24)
Box Score (PDF)
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CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — The Virginia volleyball team (5-3) swept Bellarmine (2-7), 26-24, 25-11, 26-24, in the Cavaliers’ first of two matches inside Memorial Gymnasium on Friday. Virginia’s front row out-blocked the Knights 13-to-1. Cavalier right side hitter led the UVA effort offensively after posting a match-high 14 kills, while hitting .400.

HOW IT HAPPENED

  • The opening set was tightly contested as neither team ever led by more than three points. The Cavaliers held a one-point advantage (20-19) before Bellarmine regained the lead on a 3-0 run. UVA had set point, 24-23, but a service error evened the score once again. A UVA kill followed by a BU attack error gave Virginia a 1-0 lead as it closed out the first, 26-24. Shaffer and middle blocker Alana Walker combined for nine kills on 15 swings with no errors in game No. 1.
  • Virginia dominated the second, 25-11. The Cavaliers posted 7.0 total blocks on 12 block assists and one solo. The Virginia defense held the Knights to a -.375 hitting percentage for the set. The Cavaliers ended the second on a 4-0 run, including back-to-back blocks from Walker on the final two points.
  • Coming out of the break, UVA continued to leave its foot on the gas as the Hoos grasped the first five points of the set. However, Bellarmine chipped away at the Cavalier lead, eventually tying the match, 12-12. It appeared as though the Knights were going to force a fourth set after leading 23-20 in the third, but UVA capped off game No. 3 on a 6-1 run to win it, 26-24.

 MATCH NOTES

  • Virginia out-blocked Bellarmine 13-to-1 and did not allow a single Knight to register double-digit kills.
  • Shaffer posted a match-high 14 kills on 30 swings with just two errors to hit .400
  • Walker tied her season high with 10 blocks (7 BA, 3 BS) for the match. Her 10 blocks are still the most by a Cavalier in a single match this season.
  • Friday’s sweep over the Knights marks the second three-set victory of the season for the Cavaliers with the first coming against Hofstra (Aug. 28) and is also the first three-set win in Memorial Gymnasium under the direction of Virginia first-year head coach Shannon Wells.
  • UVA registered nine straight points, including the final four points of set No. 2 and the first five points of game No. 3.

UP NEXT

  • Virginia returns to action in Mem Gym at 7 p.m. on Friday to host Georgetown (4-5).
  • Friday’s nightcap is set to stream on ACCNX.

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