Volleyball: Hoos win back-to-back against Middle Tennessee, move to 10-1

By Colin Moore
JerryRatcliffe.com correspondent

The Virginia volleyball team won two tough midweek matches against Middle Tennessee State, wrapping up non-conference play at 10-1. The Cavaliers started the season with their best record in over 20 years, winning their seventh straight match on Wednesday.

The Cavaliers fought in a hard match Tuesday night. In all four sets, both teams registered over 20 points, indicating that this match was close throughout. No team was leading by more than four points in any set.

On Wednesday night, the Hoos took on round two against MTSU, and had to force a fifth and deciding set after trading punches with the Blue Raiders (3-8), who won the first and third sets while the Hoos won the second and fourth sets.

The Cavaliers turned a switch down the stretch and improved to 3-0 in games that went the distance.

HOW IT HAPPENED – TUESDAY

Set 1: UVA 25, MTSU 22
The Cavaliers started very strong in the first set of the match, doubling the Blue Raiders 12-6 midway through by two big blocks by both Elayna Duprey and Lauryn Bowie. Duprey also added two kills to her stat sheet as she also had two great swings later in the set, making the score 19-14 and forcing MTSU into their last timeout of the set. The Blue Raiders made it interesting, but ultimately a kill by both Bowie and Abby Tadder ended the set.

Set 2: MTSU 25, UVA 22
The Hoos opened up this set on fire, blocking just about everything. MTSU had a hard time just getting the ball over the net. There were two big blocks by both Tadder and Brooklyn Borum, forcing an early MTSU timeout. With a multitude of errors for the Hoos, they allowed MTSU back into the set, tying it at 14 points apiece. MTSU was able to capitalize on the 10 UVA errors and take the second set, tying the match.

Set 3: UVA 26, MTSU 24
In a very competitive third set, the Hoos were able to battle and come up on top after taking the set to extras. There were many great defensive plays but notably Ashley Le, who racked up 8 digs and also Kadynce Boothe, who had 7 digs of her own.

Set 4: UVA 25, MTSU 21
After a fast start, the Hoos allowed the Blue Raiders back into the game with a few service errors and unforced errors. There were multiple long rallies in this set where both teams were playing their hearts out. The Hoos were able to capitalize and win these points, allowing them to gain some momentum to pull out the home victory. This set was close throughout, with the Hoos winning a few challenges late and taking the match, 3 sets to 1.

Le made a fantastic defensive play while hustling into the team’s bench and hitting the ball back into play to her teammate. The play made SportsCenter’s Top10 with the No. 3 play of the day.

ELITE PURSUIT EVERY DAY!!!!!! https://t.co/O5MvYYb3F5

— Shannon Wells (@vbcoachwells) September 18, 2024

HOW IT HAPPENED – WEDNESDAY

Set 1: MTSU 25, UVA 19
Unlike Tuesday’s first set, the Hoos trailed most of the way. They were able to keep it close with 3 kills by Tadder, 4 from Boothe, and 5 from Kate Dean. MTSU tallied 3 aces, as well as some very dangerous serves, forcing the Hoos into difficult positions.

Set 2: UVA 25, MTSU 10
Virginia got the win in the second behind some strong plays again by both Dean and Boothe. UVA fell behind midway through the set, trailing 14-8, but after a timeout, the Hoos were able to turn it around. Heyli Valasquez had some fantastic serves down the stretch, forcing some errant passes by MTSU. With the Hoos registering 11 kills in the set, everyone in attendance received a Kilwins ice cream coupon.

Set 3: MTSU 25, UVA 23
The Hoos fell in a tough third set. The Cavaliers made a tremendous comeback late to make the set competitive, but unfortunately just fell short. After finding themselves behind 18-24, they were able to rattle off 5 straight points. Milan Gomillion had some tremendous digs and serves late to force some Blue Raider confusion, allowing the Hoos to come within 2.

Set 4: UVA 25, MTSU 12
This set started close and competitive until it wasn’t. The Hoos were able to break away by recording 5 straight kills, going up 16-11. They were able to continue to build their lead and eventually doubled the Blue Raiders, 24-12. Lily Gervase stepped up huge by coming in for the injured Tadder during this set, getting 2 huge kills and a block. Borum also showed some dominance by tallying her 6th, 7th, 8th, and 9th kills, helping the Hoos seal the set.

Set 5: UVA 15, MTSU 6
The Hoos dominated the fifth and final set by going up early, 5-1, off a huge Borum kill (her 11th of the match), forcing a MTSU timeout. After the timeout, the Hoos continued the pressure eventually going up 12-4 after some great kills by Boothe and Dean. They both had great nights, hitting the ball racking up 10-plus kills in the match.

UP NEXT

The Hoos have nine days until their next match, as they open up ACC play against Wake Forest on Sept. 27 in Winston-Salem.