Hokies open three-match homestand on Friday vs. No. 9 CornellHokies open three-match homestand on Friday vs. No. 9 Cornell
Wrestling

Hokies open three-match homestand on Friday vs. No. 9 Cornell

Opens in a new window VT-Cornell & UVA Match Notes

No. 14 Virginia Tech vs. No. 9 Cornell
Date: Feb. 15
Match Time: 6 p.m.
Stream: ACC Network Extra (WatchESPN)
Live Updates: @HokiesWrestling
Promotion: Free Virginia Tech American flag hats for the first 200 fans

No. 14 Virginia Tech vs. No. 22 Virginia
Date: Feb. 16
Match Time: 7 p.m.
Stream: WatchESPN
Live Updates: @HokiesWrestling
Promotion: Free This Is Home t-shirts for the first 20 students
Prematch Chalk Talk: 6:30 p.m. in Moss Arts Center lobby
Postmatch Social: Moss Arts Center third floor immediately following the match

                  

HOKIES SET FOR THREE-MATCH HOMESTAND

  • No. 14 Virginia Tech will end its regular season with a three-match homestand starting with a 6 p.m. dual against ninth-ranked Cornell this Friday in Cassell Coliseum.
  • Tech will then face No. 22 Virginia at the Moss Arts Center on Saturday at 7 p.m. in the Commonwealth Clash, presented by Virginia529.
  • The Hokies, who currently lead the Commonwealth Clash, 4-3, will look sot secure another team point in the Clash on Saturday.
  • The Hokies will look to bounce back from an 18-14 loss to No. 13 North Carolina last Friday in Chapel Hill.
  • The loss to the Tar Heels was only the Hokies' second defeat in their last 22 matches against ACC competition.
  • This week, Tech six wrestlers in FloWrestling's individual rankings – No. 11 Korbin Myers (133), No. 10 Mekhi Lewis (165), No. 8 David McFadden (174), No. 2 Zack Zavatsky (184), No. 12 Tom Sleigh (197) and No. 14 Billy Miller (285).
  • The biggest mover this week for the Hokies was Zavatsky, who jumped four spots to number two after his 12-4 major decision over No. 14 Chip Ness of UNC.

SHORT TIME – CORNELL

  • Cornell is currently ranked ninth in the nation in the NWCA Coaches' Poll and is 11-2 on the season.
  • They're coming off of a 34-7 win over No. 19 Princeton on Feb. 9, a win that clinched their 17th consecutive Ivy League championship.
  • The Big Red are led by 26th-year head coach Rob Koll, who's the program's winningest coach at 304-93-5 and has helped mentor 67 All-Americans and 15 national champions.
  • This will be Cornell's first trip to Blacksburg but it's their fourth time facing the Hokies.
  • The two squared off in Charlottesville at the Virginia Duals and twice in the NWCA National Duals in Cedar Falls, Iowa and Columbus, Ohio in 2011 and 2014, respectively.
  • Cornell has six wrestlers ranked in this week's individual Intermat rankings, including three in the top 10 – No. 8 Vitali Arujau (125), No. 1 Yianni Diakomihalis (141) and No. 7 Ben Honis (197).
  • Diakomihalis is 17-0 on the season and the reigning national champion at 141 pounds.

SHORT TIME – VIRGINIA

  • Virginia is 12-8 on the season and is currently ranked 22nd in the latest NWCA Coaches' Poll.
  • The 'Hoos are coming off of a 26-17 win over Duke in Charlottesvile after dropping back-to-back duals against UNC and NC State.
  • Tech defeated UVA earlier this season by a score of 37-5 in the finals of the Virginia Duals on Jan. 12.
  • The 32-point win marked the most lopsided victory for the Hokies over the Cavaliers since a 32-0 win back in 2004.
  • Tech won nine of the 10 bouts with five going for bonus points.
  • The Hokies are 46-32-1 all-time against UVA.
  • The 'Hoos are led by fifth-ranked Jack Mueller at 125 pounds and No. 10 Jay Aiello at 197. 

HOKIES' HISTORY AT THE MOSS

  • Virginia Tech is 7-1 all-time at the Moss Arts Center.
  • UVA was the Hokies' first opponent on the stage at the Moss Arts Center on Feb. 1, 2015 as ninth-ranked Tech topped No. 12 Virginia, 18-16.
  • Tech's lone defeat at the Moss was a 22-12 loss to fourth-ranked Missouri last season on Nov. 25, 2017.
  • The Hokies are 4-1 all-time against ranked opponents at the Moss Arts Center.

MOSS FAQs

  • Parking with a fee is available in the North End Parking Garage on Turner Street during events. Virginia Tech faculty and staff possessing a valid Virginia Tech parking permit can enter and exit the garage free of charge. Limited street parking is also available. Patrons may also park for free in the Squires Lot in valid parking spots, located on Otey Street across from the Squires Student Center. Parking on the Drillfield is available without a Tech parking permit.
  • There is limited handicap accessible parking located just outside the building on both Turner Street and Alumni Mall.
  • Patrons are always welcome to drop-off and pick-up guests directly at the front doors of the Moss Arts Center at 190 Alumni Mall.
  • Online ticket sales for the match have ended but there will be a limited number of walk-up tickets available on the day of the match.
  • Tickets for Virginia Tech students are free with a valid school ID.