The Virginia volleyball team begins its season later this month in search of more growth under second-year coach Shannon Wells. The Cavaliers started her debut season with several early wins, including a big upset at North Carolina, but faded down the stretch. They’ll seek more sustained success in round two.

In the end, the Hoos were 8-20 overall last season and just 1-17 in the ACC, which included a 16-match losing streak to end the season. Wells inherited a tough situation after the team finished with losing records in all four of former coach Aaron Smith’s seasons at the helm. In fact, the Cavaliers have not had a winning season since 2015, which was also the last time they accomplished at least a .500 record. This past season, Wells’ team started out 8-4, the team’s best start through 12 matches since that 2015 season but couldn’t keep the momentum going.

This year’s campaign opens with a three-match trip to Gainesville, Florida, on Friday Aug. 26 and Saturday Aug. 27 where UVA faces East Tennessee State, North Florida, and Florida. The Hoos will have a different look as the season gets underway.

Departures

For this coming season, there is a decent amount of roster turnover with a handful of departed players being replaced by four transfers and one freshman. The biggest of those departures is middle blocker Alana Walker, the nation’s second leading blocker in 2021 (1.51 blockers per set), who was a graduate transfer last season and thus has exhausted her eligibility.

...