BLACKSBURG – Looking to tie the Commonwealth Clash, the Virginia Tech volleyball team had a 3-0 setback against in-state rival Virginia on Wednesday at Cassell Coliseum.
The Hokies (10-20, 3-14 ACC) on senior night, recognizing Ester Talamazzi and Abby Mckinzie, could not get past the Cavaliers (13-18, 5-13 ACC) for the second time this season. Talamazzi had a season-high six kills in the contest along with five digs and two blocks. Mckinzie recorded two digs and one assist in the match.
The victory gives the Cavaliers a 3-2 advantage in the Commonwealth Clash presented by Virginia529. Virginia529 is the official college savings plan of Virginia Tech Athletics and the University of Virginia Athletics. To learn more about Virginia529 and the competition, visit www.thecommonwealthclash.com
Middle blocker Marisa Cerchio posted six kills and three blocks and setter Talyn Jackson dished out 18 assists and had five digs. Mosley and Talamazzi each registered an ace on the day.
Libero Logan Mosley scooped up 14 digs bringing her season total to 492, breaking the Virginia Tech record for most digs by a freshman in a season.
The Cavaliers received strong performances from Jelena Novakovic and Sarah Billiard, who both tallied nine kills. Defensively, Christine Jarman collected 22 digs while Alexandra Spencer registered 13 digs of her own.
THE GAME
It was a tight contest halfway through the first set with Virginia leading 12-10, following a kill from the Cavaliers' Novakovic. The set would end with Tech and UVA trading points, but the Cavaliers' early advantage was too much to overcome for the Hokies, as Virginia won the first set 25-17.
Virginia caught fire early in the second set and did not look back. Virginia closed the second frame out on a 6-1 run to win 25-13. Talamazzi had two kills and two digs in the frame.
The Cavaliers came out of the gate looking to close the match and took a lead halfway through the third. The Hokies mounted a comeback following back-to-back kills from freshman Cera Powell and Talamazi, making it just a one-score stanza at 23-22. UVA scored the last two points to claim the set 25-22 and win the match.
QUOTING VIRGINIA TECH HEAD COACH JILL WILSON
On senior night:
"It's always special to be able to celebrate their careers but also celebrate Talamazzi and Mckinzie's great future ahead and I have no doubt that these two will do big things in life," Tech coach Jill Wilson said. "I wish today had gone a little better, as far as the win column, but I think they will look back and have awesome memories."
MATCH NOTES
- Setter Talyn Jackson had 18 assists against UVA, bringing her total for the season to 981 as she inches to 1,000 assists on the year.
- Cerchio racked up six kills, bringing her team-leading total to 299 on the season.
- Mosley recorded an ace in the contest. She now has 26 aces on the year.
- Talamazzi tallied one ace against the Cavaliers her first one since Sept. 21 against Charlotte.
UP NEXT
The Hokies will take on North Carolina in their regular-season finale on Friday at 3 p.m. ET at Carilion Clinic Court at Cassell Coliseum.
Gallery: (11/27/2019) 2019 VOLLEYBALL SENIOR NIGHT