CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va, (Oct. 15) – Fourth year outside hitter Whitney Bilger (La Jolla, Calif./The Bishops School) tallied a career-high 21 kills to lead the University of Virginia to a 3-1 (15-7, 13-15, 15-10, 15-8) victory over Georgia Tech in ACC volleyball action Friday evening at University Hall. The Cavaliers improve to 12-5 overall and 5-2 in the ACC with the win. The Yellow Jackets fall to 13-7 overall and 3-4 in the conference.
Virginia jumped out to an 8-0 lead in the first game, but Georgia Tech closed to within 8-5. UVa stretched its lead out to 11-6 before going on to the 15-7 win. In game two, the Yellow Jackets took an early 9-3 lead only to see the ‘Hoos cut the margin to 13-12. Georgia Tech was able to hold on for the 15-13 win. Trailing 7-5 in game three, third year outside hitter Katie Jones (Kingwood, Texas/Kingwood) served five-straight points to give the Cavaliers the lead for good, 10-7. UVa went on to win game three 15-10. With game four tied at 4-4, Bilger served for two points to give Virginia the lead for good, 6-4. UVa went on to take the fourth game 15-8 to win the match.
Bilger easily beat her former career best of 14 kills with her 21-kill effort. She also led the team with a .368 hitting percentage (21 kills, 7 errors, 38 attempts) and totaled nine digs. Fourth-year setter Mary Frances Scott (Phoenix, Ariz./Xavier College Prep) recorded match-highs of 57 assists and 23 digs with the digs setting a new season high. Scott also added four blocks and two service aces. Fourth-year middle blocker and 1998 First Team All-ACC selection Jessica Parsons (Green Oaks, Ill./Libertyville) contributed 13 kills, nine digs and two block assists, while third-year middle hitter Deanna Zwarich (Overland Park, Kan./Shawnee Mission) also totaled 13 kills. Jones recorded a double-double with 12 kills and 12 digs and registered a team-high three service aces.
For Georgia Tech, Maja Pachale led the way with 16 kills, while Teryl Townsend added 13 kills and a team-high 17 digs. Amanda Medrow recorded 10 kills and 11 digs. Setter Carolyn Clevenger handed out 35 assists.
Virginia returns to action on Saturday, October 16, when it hosts 15th-ranked Clemson at 7:00 p.m. in University Hall.
Virginia 3, Georgia Tech 1
1 2 3 4 Final Score Georgia Tech (13-7, 3-4) 7 15 10 8 — 1 Virginia (12-5, 5-2) 15 13 15 15 — 3
Time of Match: 1:57 Attendance: 149
