Hokie ClubCHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. - The Hokies (7-16, 1-12 ACC) fell to Virginia (18-6, 8-5 ACC) on Wednesday night in five sets (25-24, 16-25, 25-19, 17-25, 8-15).
HOW IT HAPPENED
The first frame opened with a 3-0 run for the Hokies, featuring a UVA service error and two kills. The run powered the squad to the 10-point mark before the Cavaliers. The duos played tug-of-war to 24-24 but thanks to a back row kill from Belle Patrick and a wicked block solo from Jordan Hallman, the Hokies captured the opening set, 26-24. Patrick led the offense with five kills on a .714 clip while Wahlgren boasted four kills on a .571 clip.
The second set started differently. The home team hopped out to an 16-8 lead early in the set and the Hokies worked hard to close the gap, reaching just a five-point deficit heading into the final points of the set, but ultimately Tech fell in set two, 25-16.
Set three was flip-flopped from set two. Despire a slow start, the Hokies jumped out to a five-point advantage at 10-5 and never looked back. Within the first three points of the set, Viktoria Wahlgren collected her 10th dig, and along with her double-digit assists early, she reached her sixth career double-double. Belle Patrick continued to lead offensively, reaching 10 kills and maintaing a .444 clip.
In set four, the Hokies fell to a four-point deficit early in the set and were unable to recover. Despite solid efforts, the squad was unable to come within four or less points for the duration of the set from that point forward, and ultimately fell 17-25. Viktoria Wahlgren led the set for the Hokies with four kills on a .429 clip, six assists and five digs.
Set five events transpired similarly to set four, with Virginia jumping out a few points in and never looking back. The Hokies battled valiantly but were unable to clear the deficit, falling in the match 2-3 after an 8-15 final frame.
The loss gives the Cavaliers 0.5 point in the Commonwealth Clash, presented by Smithfield. The score for the Commonwealth Clash currently is 4.5.-0.0 in favor of Virginia. For more information visit hokiesports.com/commonwealth-clash.
GAME NOTES
•Viktoria Wahlgren's triple-double (11 K, 25 A, 20 D) is the first for the Hokies since Tayln Jackson's (10 K, 46 A, 16 D) in 2019. The 11 kills and 20 digs were both career-highs for the setter.
•Belle Patrick recorded her third career double-double against the Cavaliers with 14 kills and 11 digs. Along with her double-double, Patrick saw a perfect day on serve-receive with 33 flawless receptions.
•Jordan Hallman had a standout day with a career-high three block solos along with three block assists and five kills on a .455 clip.
•Hailey Pearce tallied her 12th match of the season with double-digit kills, collecting 13 with one ace, one block solo and eight digs.
•Leandra Mangual Duran saw her 14th match with a perfect serve-receive record, totaling 10 receptions, and has now collected double-digit digs in 15 of 23 matches this season with her 15 against Virginia.
•Sarah Malinowski boasted four block assists with six kills in the contest.
•Jasmine Robinson notched one block solo with two block assists and six kills.
•Tech totaled 55 kills, 53 assists, 65 digs, 15 total blocks and three aces.
UP NEXT
The Hokies return the hosting favor to the Cavaliers for the second bout of the 2024-25 Commonwealth Clash on Friday, November 8 in Cassell Coliseum at noon.