White: Quarterbacks Still In No-Tackle Zone
Courtesy: VirginiaSports.com Release: 08/28/2009
By Jeff White
jwhite@virginia.edu

CHARLOTTESVILLE -- Since the start of practice this month, they've been The Untouchables.
Starting Sept. 5, of course, that will change for UVa quarterbacks Vic Hall, Jameel Sewell and Marc Verica. For now, though, Al Groh is comfortable with the coaching staff's decision to prohibit defenders from tackling the quarterbacks, who have made it to this point in good health.
Groh remembers 2008 well. That January, Sewell, who'd started 22 consecutive games at quarterback for the Wahoos, including the Gator Bowl, was suspended from the University for academic reasons.
Then in September, Peter Lalich, who'd started the first two games of the season at QB, was dismissed from the team.
"It is a tricky equation," Groh said this morning of putting his quarterbacks off-limits to tacklers. "Having experienced a year like last year in which we very quickly lost the two quarterbacks we thought we would be playing the season with, we're pretty sensitive to what happens to a team when that occurs.
"So, coming off that past experience, we decided to not put ourselves in jeopardy."
All of the quarterbacks are veterans, and they "don't need to be hit," Groh said. "In other words, they don't need the physical being-hit part of it to be ready to play. What they don't get is the close proximity of rushers to them.
"There's some times when the rusher pulls off and changes his course so as to not run into the quarterback. My concern is that that gives them a false sense of how they can operate in the pocket."
UVa opens at home against William and Mary next Saturday night. In that game, Groh knows, the "rushers could conceivably be a lot closer to [the quarterbacks] and affect or change some of the decisions that they were able to make in the past.
"That's the tradeoff for it. The one thing we know is that all three of the quarterbacks are going to be at the stadium next Saturday for sure. The thing that they now have to do is accommodate their game a little bit to the realities of what it's like in the pocket."
Hall started -- and sparkled -- in the 2008 regular-season finale versus Virginia Tech, and many close to the UVa program will be surprised if the 5-9 senior from Gretna doesn't take the first snap against the Tribe.
But Sewell and Verica, who started nine games last year, also have been getting extensive work in practice, and they may well play Sept. 5, too.
"Right at this stage right now we continue to anticipate the possibility of any or all of them playing in any particular game," Groh said. "We continue to try to get all three of them ready. It's a little bit tricky proposition, obviously, but we think we have three guys that as a combination give us the best chance for the quarterback position to play as well as it needs to in any one particular game."
--30--

 

Cavs still seeking pieces for offensive puzzle
By Michael Phillips
Published: August 29, 2009

Practice time is at a premium everywhere as coaches frantically prepare for college football's opening weekend, but at Virginia that time is getting divided a lot of ways.

The Cavaliers have three quarterbacks that are all getting work, an offensive line preparing for a new spread offense, and a freshman running back who could be seeing carries as soon as next Saturday.

It all starts with the signal caller, and at U.Va. the opening-day starter is likely to be senior Vic Hall.

Also in the mix are senior Jameel Sewell (Hermitage) and junior Marc Verica. All three are taking snaps in practice, and coach Al Groh said that all three could be involved in some way.

"Right now, we continue to anticipate the possibility of any or all of them playing in a game," he said. "It's a tricky proposition, obviously, but we think these three guys -- as a compilation -- give us a chance to play as well as we need to in any game."

During practices, the three are taking turns running the offense, but generally are declared off-limits to full contact.

After a rough season at the position last year, Groh said he is sensitive to the dangers that a team faces when it loses a quarterback or two, and doesn't want to see that happen in preseason.

The adjustment process now will be for those three to adapt against William and Mary when the defense is allowed to come full speed, and the quarterback can't wear a no-contact jersey.

"They have to accommodate their game to the reality of how things are going in the pocket," Groh said. "Sometimes when the rusher pulls off and changes his course to not run into the quarterback, that gives them a false sense of how they can operate."

Whoever is quarterbacking will rely on the offensive line to keep Groh's concern from becoming a reality.

The line will play this season more spread out than last year to accommodate new offensive coordinator Gregg Brandon's schemes. Groh emphasized that at times last year the line did have to spread out, so it was ready for the challenge. He added that if anything, things should get easier for the big men.

"It's quite a bit less intricate than what they've been asked to do in the past," the coach said. "There are some different line calls to accommodate, but the number of techniques is less."

Offensively the final position that is in transition is at running back. Entering the season, senior Mikell Simpson was presumed to be the starter. But in the past week, he's been spotted on campus wearing a walking boot.

Groh had no comment about that -- saying only that the injury report would be released on Thursday -- but it could open up carries for redshirt freshman Torrey Mack.

Mack, highly regarded, has been drawing buzz for his fall performances so far. He redshirted last year, but only to learn the finer points of his position.

"What he needed were the parts that an elite tailback has," Groh said. "Pass protection, running routes -- those were new things he had to work on. If he just had to run the ball, his skills would have enabled him to be successful."

Regardless of how those position battles shake out, Groh is going to make sure that during practice, every player who might see some action gets prepared for next week's opener.
 

Getting enough QB snaps for the Cavs
Michael Phillips
Aug 28, 2009

One final note before I take off for the weekend (last free weekend until the end of football season - gotta make it count). We’ll see you Monday morning for coach Al Groh’s first press conference of the season.

While Vic Hall is likely to be under center for the first play next Saturday against William and Mary, the team’s other two depth chart contenders are still getting snaps in practice and may factor into the offense.

Those players are Jameel Sewell (Hermitage) and Marc Verica. The other two are seniors, Verica is a junior. Coach Al Groh said today that having been through a season with massive quarterback upheaval, he understands the importance of keeping everybody ready to play.

“Right now we continue to anticipate the possibility of any or all of them playing in a game,“ he said. “We think all three guys - as a compilation - give us a chance to play as well as we need to in any game.“
 

New faces at U.Va. (coaches and players)
Michael Phillips
Aug 28, 2009

With the influx of new assistant coaches, head coach Al Groh said that he’s used the Cavs scrimmages this fall as a way to give the coaches a run through as well, including using the headsets and positioning everybody in the coaches box or the field according to where they’ll be this fall.

Special teams coordinator Ron Prince will make a return to the field - he was in the booth as the offensive coordinator during his last stint with the team, but was on the field last year as coach at Kansas State.

Elsewhere, Groh singled out a couple defensemen who are first-year freshmen, but look to put themselves on the depth chart and be a part of the team’s traveling squad.

First off is Javanti Sparrow. We spilled some ink about him earlier this week, and Groh was asked about the possibility of seeing him at cornerback sooner rather than later.

“He’s perhaps a little bit ahead of what might be expected,“ the coach said. “Not that he had everything down…but he’s got a good feel for where his assignments are. He’s got a lot of fine-tuning left to have his performance ready for a game.“

Other freshmen singled out by the coach included defensive ends Will Hill and Brent Urban, and “perhaps one of the young safeties.“
 

U.Va’s o-line starts to spread out
Michael Phillips
Aug 28, 2009

With Al Groh’s first press conference of the year on Monday, little in the way of news happened (understandably) during his daily update with the press today.

One topic of interest is the spread offense, currently being installed by new offensive coordinator Gregg Brandon. In Brandon’s spread, the offensive line takes up more field space than usual, allowing more space between each blocker. It increases the importance of each blocker executing his assignment.

Groh said that as a plus, though, the offense is significantly less complicated than it has been in the past, meaning the players have fewer play calls to learn.

“It’s quite a bit less intricate,“ he said. “There are some different line calls to accomodate, but the number of techniques is less.“

He added that last year the team had plays that involved similar spacing, so he feels like his players were quick to adapt to that aspect of things.

In the new spread offense, the offensive line takes up more field space than usual, allowing more space between each blocker. It increases the importance of each blocker executing his assignment.
 

Tech isn’t the only team with running back fun
Michael Phillips
Aug 28, 2009

U.Va. starting tailback Mikell Simpson was spotted in a boot on campus earlier in the week. When asked about it on Wednesday, coach Al Groh said that “Our injury report will come out the Thursday before the game.“

This could free up carries for redshirt freshman Torrey Mack, who sat out last season but possesses tremendous speed and talent.

Stay tuned - this is something worth monitoring as the week progresses.
 

Cavs’ Torchia knows his role
By Jay Jenkins
Published: August 29, 2009

Walking around practice, Virginia tight end Joe Torchia looked left and right.

Suddenly and shockingly, he noticed fewer players lining up at his position.

One player, current Dallas Cowboy John Phillips, left after using up his eligibility. Another, Rod Wheeler, departed for personal reasons.

It raised the question: Is Virginia still considered Tight End University?

“It is to be proven,” said Torchia, a junior from Cold Spring, N.Y. “We will find out.”

Torchia enters the season as the top tight end, but is still waiting on his first reception as a Cavalier. He expanded on the thought while noting that there is pressure to live up to the standard set by past Virginia stars.

“It is to be proven every year. Nothing will be given to you,” he said. “Every year, whether it was Heath Miller, Tom Santi, Jonathan Stupar, John Phillips, they proved themselves to be big-time producers for this program.”

“They are gone,” he added, “and now Colt Phillips and I have to prove it. It is not a title that is given. It is a title that is earned.”

Virginia quarterback Jameel Sewell said Torchia brings the needed skills at tight end.

“He has such great hands for a big guy,” said the senior southpaw. “He tracks down balls and he moves very well in traffic. It is amazing to watch.

“He is going to make plays for us. I know that.”

Despite the fact that Virginia has fully moved into the spread offense under first-year offensive coordinator Gregg Brandon, Torchia admitted that he was not concerned to see how tight ends would be used.

“I really wasn’t nervous,” he said. “Coach [Al] Groh wasn’t going to bring in something that was going to hurt our team. He is obviously going to bring something that is going to help our team.

“The tight end role, whether it changes or not … I don’t think it has. Coach Brandon is going to find any way to help the team. Any way that I can help the team I am ready to do it.

“I am confident in coach Groh’s decision to bring in coach Brandon and I am confident in coach Brandon’s schemes.”

Just how will Torchia be used this season? The best way to find would involve a ticket to a game or a plasma television.

“The offense stays … I am really not going to talk about that,” he said with a smile. “Sorry, I don’t want to give anything away.”
 

Breaking down Virginia’s receivers
By Jay Jenkins
Published: August 29, 2009

Jared Green
Sophomore — 6-foot-2, 180 pounds
The skinny: Stuck behind a host of veterans last year, Green fought for playing time and managed 12 receptions for 144 yards. He also found the end zone against Miami on a 2-yard pass from Marc Verica. One of the fastest players on the team, Green has impressed in training camp and should start the opener. “He has made a ton of plays so far,” said Virginia quarterback Vic Hall. “We know we can rely on him to make plays.”

Javaris Brown
RS Freshman — 5-foot-11, 175 pounds
The skinny: Explosive and athletic, Brown could be a household name in a matter of weeks. The rookie is likely to start the opener after redshirting last year. He hauled in 38 passes for 550 yards as a senior at Northeast High in Macon, Ga.

Matt Snyder
Sophomore — 6-foot-4, 205 pounds
The skinny: Although he did not play in a game last year, Snyder was impressive in the spring game and has continued to climb the depth chart. The former walk-on from Richmond has impressed with his ability to block, something that will be needed in the new spread offense.

Joe Torchia
Junior — 6-foot-6, 250 pounds
The skinny: A shoulder injury suffered at Duke kept Torchia off the field for five games, and he failed to catch a pass while backing up former starter John Phillips, now with the Dallas Cowboys. It remains to be seen how a tight end will be used in the new-look offense, but Bowling Green was quick to use the tight end in the red zone under new offensive coordinator Gregg Brandon.

Kris Burd
Sophomore — 5-foot-11, 190 pounds
The skinny: Buried on the depth chart, Burd did manage seven catches for 65 yards last year and lettered for the first time in his career. He was kept off the field early in training camp but has continued to climb the depth chart in recent days.

Quintin Hunter
Freshman — 6-foot-1, 185 pounds
The skinny: A quarterback at Orange County High, Hunter was slotted at wideout and could see the field this season. It remains unclear where he will play in the coming seasons.

Dontrelle Inman
Junior — 6-foot-3, 190 pounds
The skinny: After becoming a viable option in 2007 as a rookie, Inman was seldom used last year in the passing game. The South Carolina native finished the campaign with just two catches for 22 yards. The season prior Inman had 17 receptions, which left many to debate if he should have redshirted. He has missed training-camp snaps thus far with a broken bone in his hand, but could return to the starting lineup in the near future.

Staton Jobe
Junior — 6 feet, 185 pounds
The skinny: A potential force on special teams, Jobe saw the field in just four games last year. He provides depth at the position and started 12 games in 2007.

Zach Mendez-Zfass
Junior — 6-foot-1, 190 pounds
The skinny: A scout team standout, Mendez-Zfass has gotten better every season. Whether that translates into actual playing time remains to be seen given the host of options at the position.

Kevin Royal
Freshman — 6-foot-3, 215 pounds
The skinny: The fifth-best player from Connecticut last year, the rookie was rated a two-star prospect. Showed excellent footwork during open practice sessions and has above average hands. He missed half of his senior season due to an injury, leaving questions about his durability.

Riko Smalls
RS Freshman — 6 feet, 200 pounds
The skinny: A quarterback last year, Smalls has made the transition to wideout and could see the field this season. Has wowed the staff with his toughness, but must learn in the nuisances of the position.

Bobby Smith
Freshman — 6-foot-5, 205 pounds
The skinny: One of the tallest receivers on the team, Smith could emerge as a target in the red zone. A redshirt season remains a possibility.

Tim Smith
Freshman — 6 feet, 175 pounds
The skinny: Expect to see Smith on the field this season. A freakish player in training camp, Smith has scored numerous touchdowns in practice. A four-star prospect, Smith was rated the fifth-best player in the state. He caught 73 passes for 1,681 yards and scored five touchdowns on special teams. Smith could emerge as the team’s starting punt returner.

Colter Phillips
RS Freshman — 6-foot-6, 245 pounds
The skinny: One of just four tight ends on the roster, Phillips is the top reserve behind Joe Torchia. Phillips redshirted last season and has struggled at times in training camp pulling in passes in traffic.

White: Ryan Looks Ahead To Season No. 33
Courtesy: VirginiaSports.com Release: 08/28/2009
By Jeff White

CHARLOTTESVILLE -- To get her players' attention this fall, women's basketball coach Debbie Ryan need only mention one date: Nov. 22.
That's when Pat Summitt and her Tennessee Lady Vols visit John Paul Jones Arena - their first game at UVa since 1996.
"It helps everybody" associated with the Cavaliers' program, Ryan said of Tennessee's visit. "I think regardless of what you do in the game, it's going to teach you something, one way or the other."
A season ago, UVa stunned the Lady Vols 83-82 before 11,627 fans in Knoxville. Four nights later, however, Virginia lost 78-70 at Old Dominion.
"Last year, after we won [at Tennessee], I think our biggest problem was coming down off of it," Ryan said this afternoon in her JPJ office. "That was the toughest part ... having a team that did something like that and then teaching them. You have to be able to turn around and go play Old Dominion and hold your ground."
Virginia's 2009-10 schedule, released today, also includes a trip to Freeport, Bahamas, as well as games against such non-conference opponents as Purdue, Georgia and Colorado.
"It's a good schedule," Ryan said. "It's a tough one."
Ryan's 33rd team at UVa, where her record is 699-298, will be one of the youngest she's coached. The roster includes nine first- or second-year players. Five are freshmen: 6-3 Simone Egwu, 6-4 Errin Thompson, 5-11 Lexie Gerson, 6-1 Telia McCall and 5-6 China Crosby.
"We're going to need several kids in that class to contribute," Ryan said. "Just about everybody's going to get some playing time, the way I look at it.
"They're a very talented group. Very young, but they come in, in my opinion, on a little different level than a lot of our other players. They have come in fairly prepared. Now, they're going to have to learn a lot, but they're pretty prepared for what's going to happen. They did very well this summer with our strength coach, which is a real good sign as to how they will handle things."
From a team that went 24-10 and advanced to the NCAA tournament's second round, Virginia lost four players who started at least 20 games apiece: Aisha Mohammed, Lyndra Littles, Britnee Millner and Kelly Hartig.
But Hartig, who has given up basketball and transferred to another school, played fewer than 20 minutes a game and averaged only 1.4 points and 2.6 rebounds.
Hartig's departure "probably affects our depth to a certain degree, in the post," Ryan said. "But honestly, our kids will be real young, but they'll be talented, and Chelsea Shine played so well last year, gained so much experience, that she was knocking on the door anyway."
A 6-2 post player, Shine averaged 5.5 points and 3.3 rebounds as a freshman last season. Others back who played significant minutes are 5-11 sophomore Whitny Edwards, 5-7 sophomore Ariana Moorer and, of course, 5-11 senior Monica Wright.
Wright, who has started all 102 games she's played for the 'Hoos, is an All-America candidate who averaged 20.5 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 2.8 steals last season.
She also led the team in turnovers, with 129, but don't be surprised if her decision-making improves in 2009-10.
"She's really worked all summer to get better as a player," Ryan said.
"One thing she's worked on is her ability to have a little bit of a speed change in her game. Because Monica is just so fast, she can just beat everybody down the court. But now she's worked on having a little bit of a tempo to her game, as opposed to just flying down the court and shooting that shot. There's a little tempo to her game, a little rhythm.
"That's probably been the biggest thing, to get her to play with several different speeds. Because this team is going to be able to run, no question, but we are going to have to pick our spots a little more."
UVa played all last season without guard Paulisha Kellum, who'd started 31 games and averaged 9 points in 2007-08. Kellum tore her ACL in a scrimmage last October and needed reconstructive surgery.
Kellum is back with the team, which began its fall workouts this week, but she's not yet full speed.
"She's done well, but that's a full-year injury," Ryan said. "We're now to the point where she's out there with us. She can't do everything, but she's out there doing things, and we'll just have to see."
Wright is the only player on the team in her final year of eligibility. But Kellum and Jayna Hartig, who are listed as redshirt juniors, entered UVa with Wright in 2006. Ryan is delighted with the leadership her veterans are providing.
"I think our five freshmen feel like they've got six or seven mothers besides me," she said with a smile.
--30--

 

In-state, ACC foes highlight UVa slate
By Jay Jenkins
Published: August 29, 2009

With success comes exposure.

Virginia coach Debbie Ryan can certainly attest to that.

Given the recent accomplishments of the Cavaliers’ basketball team, Ryan’s team landed at least eight televised games for the upcoming season.

The ACC announced Virginia’s schedule Friday, a slate that includes 17 home games and has an in-state flavor with contests scheduled at John Paul Jones Arena against James Madison, Liberty, Longwood and Virginia Tech.

Virginia, which went 24-10 last year and advanced to the second round of the NCAA tournament, will face 15 teams that advanced to the postseason last year.

“We’re excited about our schedule and that we are playing at least eight games on television,” Ryan said. “We are going to have a lot of exposure during the season, and it is great to be in the ACC.”

The Cavaliers, likely to be ranked in the preseason top 25, will open the season at Maryland-Baltimore County on Nov. 13, but return for three consecutive home games, hosting Manhattan (Nov. 15), USC Upstate (Nov. 18) and Tennessee (Nov. 22).

In addition to hosting Purdue in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge, Virginia will head to Junkanoo Jam in the Bahamas, Georgia and Colorado, a contest that will take junior forward Jayna Hartig back to her home state.

Cavaliers Top Liberty 5-0 in Home Opener
Courtesy: VirginiaSports.com Release: 08/28/2009
Courtesy: Matt Riley / UVa Media Relations

CHARLOTTESVILLE – The No. 14 Cavalier women’s soccer team began its 2009 home schedule in style, posting a 5-0 victory over Liberty in front of 1,060 fans at Klöckner Stadium. First-year Caroline Miller (Rockville, Md.) had a goal and three assists to lead the Cavaliers, who even their record at 1-1 on the season.

“I think we were anxious to get out and play again,” said head coach Steve Swanson. “We felt like we did enough things to get a result at Penn State last week, but didn’t and that leaves a bad taste in your mouth. This was a good result for us. We were able to get a lot of players some minutes, but thing I was most proud of was that our level stayed at the same level no matter who we had on the field. That is an encouraging sign.”

The Cavaliers opened the scoring in the seventh minute of play. Lauren Alwine (Elizabethtown, Pa.) played a cross to Meghan Lenczyk (McLean, Va.), who tapped it in from the six-yard box for Virginia’s first goal of the season. The lead was doubled in the 35th minute. Julia Roberts (Frederick, Md.) sent a free kick to the far post, where Miller headed in her first career goal. In the 41st minute, the Cavaliers struck again. Katie Carr (Williamsburg, Va.) played a ball that Miller flicked into the run of Jess Rostedt (Kent, Ohio), who chipped the ball over the charging keeper to make the score 3-0. The Cavaliers would take that advantage into the break.

Virginia wasted little time in the second half to make the score 4-0, striking in the 47th minute. Lindsey Miller (Nashua, N.H.) sent a ball into the corner, where Caroline Miller gathered it and sent a cross to the far post where Alwine scored her first goal of the season. The Cavaliers capped off the scoring in the 64th minute as Amanda Stewart’s (West Chester, Pa.) shot off a Caroline Miller cross was deflected by Kate Norbo (Roanoke, Va.) and into the net.

“It was a positive sign for us that we created so many chances tonight,” said Swanson. “We got some goals, forced their keeper to make some difficult saves and hit a couple of posts. To be creating that many chances at this point in the season is a positive.”

Virginia outshot the Flames 33-3 in the contest and had a 15-0 corner kick advantage. Chantel Jones (Midlothian, Va.) made two saves to record her first shutout of the season and the 14th of her career. Karen Blocker made eight saves for Liberty.

VIRGINIA 5, LIBERTY 0

Liberty (0-1) 0 0 0
#14 Virginia (1-1) 3 2 5

Scoring Summary
UVa. Meghan Lenczyk 1 (Lauren Alwine 1) 7’
UVa. Caroline Miller 1 (Julia Roberts 1) 35’
UVa. Jess Rostedt 1 (Caroline Miller 1, Katie Carr 1) 41’
UVa. Lauren Alwine 1 (Caroline Miller 2, Lindsey Miller 1) 47’
UVa. Kate Norbo 1 (Amanda Stewart 1, Caroline Miller 3) 64’

Shots: UVa 33, LU 3
Corners: UVa 15, LU 0
Saves: UVa 2 (Jones 2), LU 9 (Blocker 8, Team 1)
Fouls: UVa 6, LU 4

Weather: 81 degrees, humid
Attendance: 1060

Game Notes: Amanda Fancher made her first career start … Kiley Naylor and Blair Weymouth made their collegiate debuts.

 

Virginia blasts Liberty
By Whitey Reid
Published: August 29, 2009

The biggest fault that Virginia coach Steve Swanson could find after his team’s season-opening loss to Penn State last Friday was its finishing ability.

A week later, Swanson had no such complaints.

Virginia, behind a goal and three assists from freshman Caroline Miller, completed its annual thumping of Liberty, 5-0, in front of a crowd of 1,060 on Friday night at Klockner Stadium.

“I think we were very anxious to get out and play again,” Swanson said. “We felt like we did enough good things last week to get a result and didn’t get one. That kind of leaves a bad taste in your mouth.

“I felt the level [of play] was high right on through, so that was good to see.”

Virginia, which has outscored Liberty 41-0 in nine victories since the schools began playing in 2000, has won its last 20 home openers. The Cavaliers will look to win two straight when they host Hofstra on Sunday at 1 p.m.

Virginia was never threatened by Liberty, outshooting the Flames 33-3. UVa held a 15-0 advantage in corner kicks. In the second half, Swanson emptied his bench, giving playing time to several young players.

Virginia (1-1) didn’t waste any time against Liberty (0-1). In the seventh minute, Lauren Alwine sprinted past a Flames defender and made a nifty cross to Meghan Lenczyk, who blasted home a goal.

“When Lauren gets the ball and is isolated, we’ve really talked to her about getting behind the defender,” Swanson said. “I thought she did a great job of that and slipping the ball to Meghan.”

After just missing on a couple of quality scoring chances, UVa struck again in the 35th minute when Miller headed home her first college goal off a free kick from fellow freshman Julia Roberts.

Just before the half, Virginia senior Jess Rostedt put Virginia up 3-0 when she snuck past the Flames back line and chipped a shot over the head of keeper Karen Blocker.

Alwine and Kate Norbo added goals in the second half to round out the scoring.
 

Cavaliers Swept by Texas A&M
Courtesy: VirginiaSports.com Release: 08/28/2009
Courtesy: David Petkofsky/UVa Media Relations

COLLEGE STATION, Texas - The Virginia volleyball team fell in its second match of the day, dropping a 3-0 (21-25, 14-25, 18-25) contest to the host Aggies at the Texas A&M Invitational Friday evening. The Cavaliers fall to 0-2 on the season, while Texas A&M improves to 2-0.

Virginia’s duo of outside hitters led the attack again in the nightcap. Senior Lauren Dickson and sophomore Simone Asque both landed nine kills for the Cavaliers, while junior Sydney Hill hit a team-best .571 for the match.

Senior Brittani Rendina and junior AJ Cushman led the defense with six digs apiece, while freshman Tobi Farrar made her presence known at the net, collecting four blocks.

Freshman Rachel Gray handed out 23 assists and classmate Jessica O’Shoney landed her first career service ace.

For Texas A&M, Jennifer Banse knocked down 15 kills without committing an error for a .652 attack percentage. Mary Batis landed 13 kills, while leading the defense with eight digs. Kristen Schevikhoven dished out 26 assists.

For the match, the Aggies used a 4-1 run midway through the first frame to erase a three-point Cavalier lead and knot the score at 16 all. Texas A&M then tacked on two more unanswered points to take a 21-18 lead and held on for a 25-21 win.

Virginia held tight in the opening of the second set, but an offensive minded A&M squad gradually pulled away from the Cavaliers. Hitting .484 for the frame, the Aggies broke out of a timeout at 14-10 and scored 11 of the next 15 points, en route to a 25-14 victory.

Texas A&M didn’t let up in the third set either. The Aggies hit. 500 for the frame, while the defense held the Cavaliers to a .333 percentage. The hosts finished the match with a score of 25-18 in the third stanza for the 3-0 victory.

The Cavaliers will conclude their season opening tournament tomorrow, facing Iona at 11 a.m. ET.