Cavaliers Sweep North Florida at Gators Invitational

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The Virginia volleyball team (2-0) collected its first sweep of the season in a three-set victory (25-23, 25-21, 25-22) over North Florida (0-2) on day No. 2 of the Gators Invitational at the O’ Connell Center Saturday morning.

Jayna Francis led all UVA hitters with 13 kills on 21 swings and no errors to hit .619, while Chloe Wilson (10 kills and Abby Tadder (8 kills, 3 blocks) were also productive for the Cavaliers.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• After a 5-0 UNF run, Virginia trailed 18-13 before mounting a successful comeback to win the opening set, 25-23. Following the Osprey run, the two teams were tied four times. A UNF kill by Mahalia White, who finished with a match-high 15 kills, gave the Ospreys a 23-22 advantage. After a UNF service error, Francis put down two straight kills to claim the set and give the Cavaliers a 1-0 lead.
• Virginia dug itself another hole in the second in large to five attack errors as the Hoos found themselves trailing, 20-14. A kill from Wilson put the ball in Grace Turner’s hands behind the service line, where she commandeered the Cavaliers in scoring nine straight points. Turner aced three Osprey passers during the run. Libero Madison Morey, who finished with 12 digs, registered UVA’s fourth ace of the set to seal a 25-21 set win for the Cavaliers.
• Coming out of the media timeout in the middle of the third, Virginia registered three straight kills – two from Francis and one from Wilson – to grasp a 17-15 lead. From there, the Cavaliers never trailed for the remainder of the set. A huge solo block from middle blocker Mattison Matthews fired up the Cavalier bench and gave UVA some breathing room, 23-21. Francis capped the set and match with back-to-back kills as the Cavaliers secured their second win in as many matches at the Gators Invitational.

 NOTES

• With the win, Virginia improved to 2-0 in the all-time series against the Ospreys. The Cavaliers and UNF previously met on Sept. 3, 2010 – also a three-set victory for UVA.
• With the win, the Cavaliers improved to 4-2 all-time at neutral-site venues under the direction of head coach Shannon Wells. It was also Wells’ 10^th as UVA head coach.
• For the second consecutive match, the Cavaliers out-hit their opponent as UVA hit .272, while the Ospreys registered a clip of .232.
• Grace Turner posted 11 digs.

UP NEXT

• Virginia returns to the O’Connell Center on Saturday (Aug. 27) to face No. 15 Florida at 7:30 p.m.
• Saturday’s nightcap against the Gators is slated to stream on SEC Network+.