Volleyball: Hoos move to 8-1 with pair of victories over WVU, Liberty

Posted on Friday, Sep. 13, 2024, 11:45 pm

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By Colin Moore
JerryRatcliffe.com correspondent

Photos: UVA Athletics

LYNCHBURG — Virginia opened up Friday in a tough battle against West Virginia at Liberty arena at 10 a.m. The Hoos went down in a close first set in extras, but were able to bounce back in a huge way by winning the next three sets, winning the match 3-1. 

Against the Mountaineers, the Hoos (8-1) were clicking on all sides of the ball as they were able to record a total of 78 digs, with Milan Gomillion leading the way with 23. On offense, Lauryn Bowie led the squad with a monster 14 kills. Brooklyn Borum and Abby Tadder both added over 10 kills in the match to help the Cavaliers to victory. 

Friday evening’s clash against host Liberty was no different than the morning match, as it was a very competitive match between both teams who were forced to play in the deciding fifth set to determine a winner. The Cavaliers were able to fight to the end and win the deciding set, 15-9. 

Against the Flames, the Cavaliers recorded 68 kills with Tadder leading the team with 18. The Hoos also recorded 4 aces and 66 digs in the match, with Gomillion leading the team with 20. All around, it was a great team win as UVA had to push through adversity. 

HOW IT HAPPENED – West Virginia 

Set 1: West Virginia 31, UVA 29
After going back and forth for the early part of this set, the Mountaineers got a lead midway through the set at 16-10. The Cavaliers battled tough the entire set, forcing many extra points for a final count of 31-29. Gomillion made several great serves forcing the set to continue, but unfortunately the Wahoos fell a little short of the comeback in the end.

Set 2: UVA 25, West Virginia 16
The Hoos started the second set with some intensity, taking an early 5-0 lead. Ashley Le offered her contribution by serving some very dangerous balls, allowing for the early lead. Kadynce Boothe was huge early on getting both a kill and a block to keep the momentum for the Hoos. 

Set 3: UVA 25, West Virginia 21
The third set was a competitive one for both teams. The Cavaliers were able to get an early lead and keep it throughout the set. Kate Johnson delivered a huge ace, making the score 23-19 and allowing the Hoos to start to pull away. Tadder got the sealing kill allowing UVA to win the set. 

Set 4: UVA 25, West Virginia 19
In another very competitive set, the Cavaliers had early back-to-back kills by Bowie, giving the Hoos an early 4-2 lead. Then a huge ace by Boothe pushed the advantage to 13-8. Shortly after, Kate Dean dialed in two of her four kills in the match.

HOW IT HAPPENED – Liberty University

Set 1: Liberty 25, UVA 16
The Cavaliers battled in yet another very close first set. Unfortunately for them, Liberty outscored them late and ended up pulling away. Boothe and Borum both lead the team in this set in kills. Boothe also contributed 5 digs.  

Set 2: UVA 25, Liberty 19
Virginia bounced back to equal the score 1 set apiece. The Cavaliers had numerous kills throughout this set. Tadder, Duprey, and Dean all had some clinching kills down the stretch to seal the deal to take their first set of the match. 

Set 3: Liberty 25, UVA 22
It was a hard-fought battle in the third set, going back and forth between both teams. The score was tied numerous times throughout the set, showing how competitive these two teams were playing. Liberty was able to gain an advantage 

Set 4: UVA 25 – Liberty 23
The fourth set went down to the wire, with the Cavaliers eventually pulling ahead and getting the win late. During this frame, the score was tied 11 times. Dean had 3 kills during some pivotal moments to swing the momentum in the Hoos’ favor. Freshman Becca Wight got some meaningful moments down the stretch and came up huge with two big-time blocks. 

Set 5: UVA 15, Liberty 9
This was a match of true toughness, and this final set was no different. Wight had two kills and a block early to help the Hoos. Tadder also made some fantastic plays late, including an ace and two kills.

• Kate Dean recorded a career-high 13 kills and hit .571 after only committing one attack error.
• Abby Tadder finished with a season-high 18 kills, which also tied for second-most in a single match of her career.
• Milan Gomillion recorded 11 of her 20 digs in the fourth.
• Abby Tadder, Zoey Dood and Elayna Duprey teamed up for a triple block in set. No. 3.

• UVA is off to an 8-1 start for the first time since 2004.
• It’s also only the fifth time in school history UVA has started 8-1 … other years include 2004, 2003, 1998 and 1996.
• Virginia improved to 32-5 in the all-time series with Liberty which began in 1979, UVA’s inaugural season, and snapped a two-match skid in the series.
• The Cavaliers also improved to 9-3 all-time against the Flames in Lynchburg.