Ten Aces Propel Cavaliers in Four-Set Victory Over ETSU

LYNCHBURG, Va. – Virginia (6-1) tallied 10 service aces in its 25-22, 15-25, 25-13, 25-18 victory over ETSU (4-3) at Liberty Arena on the campus of Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia Thursday night (Sept. 12). The Cavaliers’ 10 aces tied for fifth most in program history among four-set matches and first in such contests since 2021.

Collecting her eighth career double-double, Brooklyn Borum tallied 10 kills and 11 digs in the win. She also contributed three points from behind the service line as did Kadynce Boothe, whose eight kills also gave UVA a much-needed boost offensively.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Set 1: Virginia 25, ETSU 22
Virginia led by as many as five points [17-12] in the first, but ETSU later fired off six straight points to take a 21-19 lead. The Cavaliers closed out the set by scoring six of the last seven points, five of which were kills. Borum exploded down the stretch as four of her five kills in the opening game came during the final seven points of the set. Abby Tadder (7 kills, 6 block assists) led the Hoos with 6.5 points on four kills, one ace and three block assists.

Set 2: ETSU 25, Virginia 15
The Buccaneers tallied the first five points of the second and did not look back. ETSU led by as many as 13 points [20-7] later in the frame. The Cavaliers only managed five kills and also struggled in serve-receive, surrendering six ETSU aces set No. 2.

Set 3: Virginia 25, ETSU 13
Coming out of the intermission, UVA flipped the script and dominated the Bucs in the third. The Cavaliers scored nine of the first 10 points of the set. Three consecutive aces by Boothe early in the frame helped shift momentum in the in the Hoos’ favor. A pair of aces by Milan Gomillion (12 digs, 2 aces) and the set-ending point – an ace by Borum – also proved beneficial.

Set 4: Virginia 25, ETSU 18
ETSU led 10-8 in the fourth when the Cavaliers fired off seven straight points to take the lead with the help of Tadder behind the service line. Virginia went on to lead by as many as nine points [21-12] later in the set. Boothe tallied five of her eight kills, and Borum recorded five digs and one ace. Both teams hit below .100 in the fourth and final set, but the Bucs had five service errors while UVA had none.

WITH THE WIN…

• Virginia improved to 5-3 in the all-time series with ETSU which began in 1980, UVA’s second season as a program.
• For the 10^th time in program history and second under head coach Shannon Wells, UVA is off to a 6-1 start.
• Other years Virginia has started 6-1 include: 2022, 2014, 2006, 2004, 2003, 1999, 1998, 1996 and 1984.

ADDITIONAL NOTES

• With 10 kills and 11 digs – along with three aces and a pair of block assists – Brooklyn Borum notched her eighth career double-double, also her first of the 2024 season.
• For the third time this year, the Cavaliers recorded double-digit service aces.
• Virginia’s 10 aces are tied for fifth all-time in a four-set match in program history.
• The Cavaliers have also recorded double-digit aces in three matches this season.

ON THE HORIZON
The Cavaliers resume action at Liberty’s tournament on Friday (Sept. 13) when they face West Virginia (3-3) at 10 a.m. and the Lady Flames (3-3) at 7 p.m.