Volleyball: Cavaliers come up short in five sets against BC in finale

By Colin Moore
JerryRatcliffe.com correspondent

Virginia was edged in five sets against visiting Boston College in Sunday’s regular-season finale at Memorial Gymnasium. The Cavaliers went down early and often in this match to the Eagles, making them play from behind for periods.

The Wahoos had to show resilience and determination in this match, as the Eagles played very well, hitting at 33 percent opposed to UVA’s 19 percent. The Eagles also made 11 blocks, which was part of the low hitting percentage for the Cavaliers.

The Cavaliers (21-10, 11-9 ACC) were led by Elayna Duprey (14 kills) and Abby Tadder (12 kills). Both Virginia setters — Ashley Le and Zoey Dood — played well, making many great sets to teammates and also played great defense. Defensively, UVA was led by Milan Gomillion, who made 16 digs, and also Brooklyn Borum, who made 14. Teammate Kadynce Boothe sang the National Anthem before the match.

Set 1: BC 25, UVA 20
The Cavaliers started this set off strong and on the front foot against the Eagles. The set opened up with a picture-perfect pass, set, and kill from the Hoos, with Duprey registering the kill. The Hoos built a small lead early, but the Eagles were able to fight back and tie the set at 14 apiece. The teams traded points before BC took a two point lead at 19-17, forcing a UVA timeout.  The Cavaliers attempted the same place twice coming out of the timeout and it didn’t work either time, forcing another timeout, and the Hoos trailed 21-17. The Eagles (15-17, 8-12) were able to hold off the lead and win the first set.

Set 2: UVA 25, BC 15
The second set was close throughout, as neither team was giving up or allowing the others an advantage. There were numerous great plays by the Cavaliers, as Lauryn Bowie and Kate Dean carried most of the offensive workload in this set. Gomillion is always contributing when on the floor on the defensive end, but in this set she had two phenomenal aces to allow the Hoos to begin to pull away at 17-10. BC tried to pull back into the match but was unable to, as two more aces from Le helped the Hoos win their first set of the day.

Set 3: BC 25, UVA 9
The Cavaliers opened up the third set alternating points with the Eagles before the Eagles began to take a lead at 11-6, forcing a UVA timeout. Boston College blockers were contesting everything at the net, making it very difficult for Cavalier hitters. The Hoos were never able to gain any momentum in this set, making numerous passing and hitting errors allowing for easy points for the Eagles. Boston College took advantage and won the third set in controlling fashion.

Set 4: UVA 25, BC 23
BC registered a pair of aces in the first 4 points to take an early 4-0 lead, forcing coach Shannon Wells and UVA to use their first timeout to try to stop the surge from BC. The Eagles remained red hot as the Hoos struggled forcing another UVA timeout at 11-2. The Cavaliers were making too many hitting errors giving Boston College points. Virginia fought back after this disastrous start to begin to come within striking distance at 13-9, forcing an Eagles timeout. The Hoos continued to chip away late in the set with some remarkable defensive plays that challenged Boston College. Duprey was bigtime, making great connections and allowing the Hoos to win the very competitive fourth set.

Set 5: BC 15, UVA 9
It was another slow start for the Hoos as they made multiple errors early, allowing the Eagles to take a 4-1 lead, which led to a UVA timeout. The Eagles continued out of the timeout with great serves, confusing the Hoos and leading to some miscommunication. The Cavaliers were forced to take another timeout trailing 7-1 in hopes to change the outcome, but the Hoos weren’t able to overcome the Eagles as they lost the deciding set, and with it, the match.

The Cavaliers will watch the NCAA Tournament Selection Show on Sunday at 6 p.m., hoping to compete in the postseason after posting 21 victories, the most for a Virginia squad in a regular season since 2006.