BLACKSBURG – In its Vs. Cancer match Friday night, the Virginia Tech volleyball team fell to [RV] Florida State 3-0 at Carilion Clinic Court at Cassell Coliseum.
Despite the loss, it was a special night for many people in Blacksburg, as Tech's Kai Young and her family made a prematch speech to the fans on the loss of their family member, Colby, in 2016. Joining in the festivities was a Carilion Clinic patient, Paris, and her family to complete the night, a night about fighting the good fight against cancer.
QUOTING KAI YOUNG
On what was going through her head during the prematch festivities:
"Honestly, it was just a really powerful moment for me," Young said. "To be able to honor Colby and to give back to somebody else who is going through a similar thing, and to be there for her and being able to meet Paris was awesome. She's such a sweet girl and I hope and wish the best for her."
On having her entire family at the match:
"It was great having my family there to support me for sure," Young said. "It's always nice having them cheer me on, especially with our Vs. Cancer match night."
The Hokies (9-15, 2-9 ACC) were paced by junior Kaity Smith who finished with her third straight double-double with 13 kills and 10 digs. Sophomore Talyn Jackson had a near double-double with 27 assists and eight digs. The Seminoles' (15-6, 9-3) redshirt freshman Morgan Chacon led the way for FSU with seven kills and seven digs.
THE MATCH
The Hokies got off to a hot start taking the lead at 11-10, following a kill by freshman Cera Powell. As Florida State started to pull away, Powell wasn't finished as she came up with another kill to bring Tech within three points of the lead at 23-20. The Seminoles pulled away late, though, scoring the final three points of the set to win 25-20.
Tech led early in the second set due to Smith's two kills early as the outside hitter would end the set with four kills and four digs. The score was tied at 14-all when FSU went on an 11-4 run to win the second set 25-18. Jackson added 10 assists for the second straight set.
Getting in a hole early, Tech was down 15-10 at the media timeout. Florida State would not let up and extended its lead to 22-13. However, the Hokies kept fighting and went on a 4-2 run sparked by a Powell kill to make the score 24-16 late in the third. The Seminoles closed out the third, though, despite Smith recording a kill late, with six kills in the third set alone, to claim it 25-17.
NOTES
- Smith, who has seven double-doubles on the year, now has 21 in her storied career. The Kentucky native has also performed well defensively at the net, racking up eight blocks her last four matches with two blocks tonight.
- Jackson scooped up eight digs against FSU, bringing her total now to 43 her last five matches. The setter now has 200 digs on the season.
- Young, a junior, registered four blocks against the Seminoles, giving her nine over the last two matches - her best two-match stretch since Chattanooga and Arkansas State on Sept. 20.
- Junior Kylie Thomas finished with 10 digs, which was her 11th double-digit dig performance this season.
UP NEXT
Tech will be in back action when it takes on Miami (Fla.) (8-11, 4-7) on Sunday at noon ET at Carilion Clinic Court at Cassell Coliseum. The match will be broadcast on ACC Network Extra, with Bailey Angle (play-by-play) and Jake Lawrence (analyst) on the call.
Gallery: (11/1/2019) 2019 VOLLEYBALL vs. FLORIDA STATE