Wake Forest Volleyball Falls to Virginia, 3-0, in ACC Opener
Williams notches match-high six block assists

Sept. 24, 2004

Box Score

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - The Wake Forest volleyball team fell to the University of Virginia, 3-0 (30-26, 30-28, 30-26), in the conference opener, Friday night at Reynolds Gymnasium. The Deacs drop to 8-3 overall, while the Cavaliers improve to 11-2.

Virginia grabbed an early lead in the first game, taking the Deacs on a eight point run at the 5-10 mark. Five assists and two kills by Erin Borhart brought the Deacs back in the game at 15-23. The Deacs continued to rally, but were unable to close the gap, despite junior Valerie Rydberg serving for five. A kill by Virginia's Sarah Kirkwood and an attack error on the Deacs ended the first game, 30-26.

In game two, Rydberg came to the line and put Wake Forest ahead, with the help of two kills by senior Kim Stern. Keeping the game close, the teams battled for the lead, tying the game eight times before the Demon Deacons took their first lead of the day. Unfortunately, at 19-16 Emily Perilli came to the line for Virginia and served for four points to tie the game once again. From that time on, the teams again fought it out, only to have the Cavs pull away at 26-29. Fighting for game point, a block by Christy Williams and Lauren Peterson and another by Williams and Stern, kept the Deacs alive just a little bit longer. An attack error by Wake at the fourth game point closed the second, 30-29.

In the third and final game, the Deacs again kept it close in the beginning, until Virginia went on a 7-3 run, leaving the Deacs to play catch-up. A short run that was highlighted with two kills by Rydberg and four assists by Borhart brought the Deacs back in it at 20-21. Continuing to compete, the Deacs were unable to capture the lead and dropped the final game, 26-30.

Williams put down a match-high six block assists for Wake Forest, while Stern netted a team-high 15 kills. With 10 digs, Natasha Schaefer posted her fifth straight game with double digit digs. As a team, Wake Forest hit. 235 to Virginia's .240.

The Deacs will return to action tomorrow night in Reynolds Gym against the defending ACC champions, Maryland. Match time is set for 6 p.m.