University of Virginia Volleyball Team: Cavaliers Head to North Carolina for Key ACC Match-ups
Virginia to face NC State Friday, North Carolina Saturday
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. - The Virginia volleyball team heads to North Carolina to face the Wolfpack and Tar Heels in key ACC match-ups this weekend. The Cavaliers face NC State Friday at 7 p.m., before taking on North Carolina Saturday at 6 p.m. Live statistics for both matches will be available at VirginiaSports.com.
Virginia enters the weekend with a 9-10 overall record and 3-6 mark in the ACC. The Cavaliers are led offensively by junior Simone Asque – who leads the league with 27 service aces and is ranked second with 300 kills this year. Defensively, senior AJ Cushman leads the way with 353 digs – the second-best mark in the ACC, while freshman Mallory Woolridge and sophomore Jess O’Shoney each rank in the conference’s top-10 in blocks per set. Woolridge sits fifth with an average of 1.12 blocks per game, while O’Shoeny is eighth, blocking 1.10 attacks per outing.
NC State brings a 12-9 record into the weekend and is 2-7 in conference play. Becah Fogle leads the attack with 197 kills, while Margaret Salata leads the defense, earning 81 blocks this season. Megan Cyr ranks sixth in the ACC, dishing out 10.25 assists per set.
Virginia leads NC State in the all-time series, 34-20. The Cavaliers claimed wins in both meetings last year and hold an overall record of 17-1 in contests against the Wolfpack since 1997.
North Carolina (16-6, 7-2) enters the weekend as one of the league’s top defensive teams. The Tar Heels lead the ACC in digs per set (18.10) and are second in opponent hitting percentage (.159). UNC’s attack is also powerful, as it ranks second in kills (14.28) and assists (13.36) per set.
Courtney Johnston leads the attack with 225 kills, while Christine Vaughen is attacking at a .353 clip. Defensively, Kaylie Gibson leads the league with 5.36 digs per set.
In an all-time series that dates back to 1980, the two squads have met at least once every year, with the Tar Heels leading, 34-15. North Carolina swept the Cavaliers in last season’s contests, however the two teams have split the wins in the last 10 meetings.
Up next, Virginia will return home to host back-to-back weekends of conference play. The Cavaliers will close out October hosting Miami on Friday, Oct. 29 at 7 p.m., before facing Florida State on Sunday, Oct. 31 at 1 p.m.
