Virginia Falls 3-0 to NC State in Home Finale
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — The Virginia volleyball team (8-19, 1-16 ACC) closed out its 2021 home slate following a 22-25, 22-25, 12-25 loss to NC State (15-12, 9-7 ACC) at Memorial Gymnasium Saturday afternoon.
The Cavaliers were led by Alana Walker, who posted seven kills, hit .294 and tallied a match-high five blocks.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- NC State took a 1-0 lead after winning the first, 25-22. The Wolfpack led by as many as 10 points, but UVA chipped away to cut its to deficit to just two, 24-22, before NC State signaled for time. Coming out of the huddle, the Wolfpack collected their 13th kill to end the first. Walker led the Cavaliers in the opening frame with four kills on seven swings and added two blocks.
- The second set was much closer throughout. A 4-0 run by the Cavaliers made it a one-point game, 18-17, in favor of NC State. Two UVA service errors late in the set proved to be costly as the Wolfpack won the second, 25-22, once again, and took a 2-0 lead.
- NC State’s 16-4 run to open set No. 3 proved to be the difference in the game, which the Wolfpack won, 25-12. Walker posted three of her seven kills in the third and final frame. The Wolfpack never trailed in game no. 3 and sided out on 11-of-12 Virginia serves, nixing any chance for the Cavaliers to flip momentum.
NOTES
- Walker posted a team-high seven kills and a match-high five blocks.
- Kristen Leland tallied a team-best 10 digs.
- Virginia passed .970 (62-for-64), its best mark since playing against Clemson on Oct. 10.
- Virginia out-blocked the Wolfpack 9.0 to 7.0 and has now led its opponents in blocks in 17 of its 27 matches played this season … The Cavaliers have a record of 8-9 when out-blocking its opponents this season.
UP NEXT
- Virginia concludes the 2021 regular season at Boston College (15-15, 5-11) on Friday (Nov. 26).
- First serve is scheduled for 1 p.m. on ACC Network.