Hokie ClubWILMINGTON, N.C. – Virginia Tech defeated UNC Asheville Saturday afternoon 3-0 (25-14, 25-16, 25-21), in Hanover Hall in Wilmington, N.C., to win the Seahawk Classic and equal the program’s best start in 13 years.
The Hokies (9-2, 0-0 ACC) secured their third regular season tournament title with the win over the Bulldogs (6-5, 0-0 Big South). The 9-2 mark for the Hokies matches the 1995 squad, who went 9-2 in the first 11 matches and finished 22-12 overall, for the best start ever in Tech history.
“It is really hard to judge how our freshmen are going to come in and what level they are going to get us to,” Tech head coach Chris Riley said. “For us to get out to a 9-2 start, I think that is a good non-conference record for us. I think we made some good strides and played some good teams.”
Tech continued its trend of dominating early, winning the opening set for the sixth straight match. The Hokies went on a 4-0 run with the match tied 6-6, to gain control of the set. The Bulldogs were unable to get within three points again, as Tech ended the frame on a 10-4 run, and took the stanza 25-14.
The second set followed in similar fashion as the first for the Hokies, as they seized the frame 25-16. The two squads battled early, until Tech was able to extend out to a 10-5 lead. The Hokies maintained the margin for the rest of the stanza, as UNC Asheville never got within four points again.
The Hokies leapt to a four-point advantage in the third set at 8-4, but UNC Asheville came back and pulled ahead at 10-9, only the third lead of match for the Bulldogs. Tech quickly retook the advantage at 12-11 and extended it to 19-14. The Hokies kept their distance from the Bulldogs the rest of the way, winning the frame 25-21, and the match 3-0.
Junior Betsy Horowitz continued her strong season, leading Tech with nine kills and three blocks. Sophomore Felicia Willoughby recorded eight kills on 10 attacks, and Amy Wengrenovich dug 16 attacks for the Hokies. Freshman Erin Leaser tallied 21 assists.
“Betsy was real good, that is what we expect out of her,” Riley said. “If she is one-on-one with a defender, she scores.”
Tech held UNC Asheville to a .059 hitting percentage, while the Hokies hit .220 as a team. The Seahawk Classic provided a good opportunity for the freshmen and reserves to see some playing time. 14 different Hokies saw match action in the tournament.
Willoughby was named tournament most valuable player for the second consecutive week. Leaser and junior Taylor Parrish also earned spots on the all-tournament team.
The Hokies now embark into ACC play, and will begin with in-state rival Virginia on Tuesday, Sept. 23 in Cassell Coliseum at 7 p.m. Hokie play-by-play announcer Jerry Massey will broadcast the contest live on hokietv.com.