Cavaliers Register 16.0 Blocks in Sweep Over Notre Dame

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – In its first sweep over an ACC opponent since 2019, the Virginia volleyball team (10-11, 2-8 ACC) recorded 16.0 total blocks in its 27-25, 25-19, 25-19 win over Notre Dame (9-11, 4-6 ACC) at Memorial Gymnasium Sunday afternoon (Oct. 23). The Cavaliers’ 16.0 blocks are good for No. 2 all-time in program history among three-set matches.

The win snapped the Fighting Irish’s five-match winning streak in the series and marked UVA’s first win over Notre Dame since 2016.

Virginia was led by middle blocker Abby Tadder, who tied for a match-high eight kills, hit .429 and posted a match-high eight blocks, including a career-best three solo. Outside hitter Grace Turner also had eight kills and chipped in four blocks and nine digs. Middle blocker Veresia Yon accounted for seven blocks – her season high – and ripped six kills on 12 swings.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The first set featured 10 tied scores and three lead changes. Notre Dame led 21-18 before Tadder’s third kill of the set brought defensive specialist Kate Johnson off the bench and to the service line. Johnson proceeded to dial up two great serves, including an ace that tied the frame, 21-21, at which point UND signaled for time. Coming out of the timeout, the Fighting Irish scored three straight points – all off UVA attack errors – to gain set point, 24-21. The Cavaliers tied the score after registering three straight points of their own, thanks to back-to-back aces from setter Ashley Le. Notre Dame gained set point, once again, 25-24, but another 3-0 run by the Cavaliers, which featured their fourth ace of the frame, propelled the Hoos to victory, 27-25. Virginia finished the opening set with 7.0 blocks, including five block assists from Yon.
• A 5-0 UVA run in the middle of the second proved to be the difference as Virginia ultimately went on to win, 25-19. Notre Dame broke up the Cavaliers’ scoring run on its ninth and final kill of the frame, but two plays later, the Cavaliers claimed three straight points to secure a 23-18 lead. Virginia tallied its 25^th point of the set on a block by Yon and right side hitter Mary Shaffer, who finished Sunday’s contest with three block assists.
• Coming out of the break, Notre Dame jumped out to a 4-1 lead after registering a pair of aces early on. UVA grasped its first lead of the third on yet another 5-0 run, which was highlighted by a pair of UVA blocks, including one of Tadder’s three solos. The score would flip two more times before the Cavaliers closed out the set, 25-19, after claiming the final seven points of the match. Virginia held the Fighting Irish to a -.029 hitting percentage in the third after five of Notre Dame’s 10 attack errors in the frame were by way of UVA rejections.

WITH THE WIN…

• Virginia snapped a five-match skid against the Fighting Irish and earned its first win in the series since 2016 and first its victory in Mem Gym over UND since 2015.
• The Cavaliers improved to 2-8 in ACC play, marking the first time UVA has secured at least two ACC wins in the same season since 2019.
• Virginia claimed its first ACC sweep since Nov. 27, 2019, when the Cavaliers won in straight sets over Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Va.
• The last time the Cavaliers swept an ACC opponent in Mem Gym was in the match prior – against Boston College on Nov. 22, 2019.

ADDITIONAL NOTES

• Virginia’s 16.0 total blocks are good for second all-time in program history among three-set matches. The all-time record and last time UVA had at least 16.0 blocks in a single three-set match was on Sept. 30, 2006 against Maryland, when the Cavaliers posted 19.0 total blocks.
• Outside hitter Grace Turner (8 kills) has now led or tied for the most kills by a UVA player this season in 15 of the Cavaliers’ 21 total contests.
• Abby Tadder’s three block solos are a career best.
• Veresia Yon posted a season-high seven total blocks.

UP NEXT
Virginia travels to Virginia Tech (9-12, 2-8 ACC) on Friday (Oct. 28) at 6 p.m. and Wake Forest (12-9, 4-6 ACC) on Sunday (Oct. 30) at 1 p.m. Both matches are set to stream on ACC Network Extra (ACCNX) through the ESPN app, which is available through participating TV providers that carry ACC Network.