Hokie ClubDURHAM – Seeking their fourth straight win, the Virginia Tech volleyball team defeated No. 14 Duke 3-2 in a five set thriller. The Hokies move to first place in the ACC Central and earn their first ever win inside Cameron Indoor Stadium.
The Hokies (5-1, 4-1 ACC) earn their fourth consecutive win and their fourth ACC victory of the season. Tech earns their seventh win in program history against a ranked team. The Blue Devils (4-2, 4-2) lose their second ACC match of the season and drop their second home match on the year.
Graduate-student Kaity Smith recorded a double-double with 17 kills and 16 digs. With the double-double that marks the 27th of her career and fifth on the season. Senior Marisa Cerchio notched her career-high in kills with 18 on the match.
Setters Talyn Jackson and Brie Postema combined for 45 assists in the outing. Graduate student Ashley Homan tallied a near double-double with 9 kills and 10 digs. Middle Blocker Kai Young earned her season high in kills with six in the win.
THE GAME
The first set was tight at the start but the Hokies would go on an 8-2 run midway through giving them the advantage. Tech ended the set on a 4-2 stretch and won the first 25-17.
The second set was all Hokies from the start as they would go up 11-5 early on. Duke would mount a comeback and cut the margin down to just two points. Tech closed the second with three straight points and won the set 25-19.
Early on, the third set was a barn burner and both squads found themselves even at 12-12. The Blue Devils would find a 8-1 spark late which would propel them to claim the set 25-16.
Gaining momentum, the Blue Devils jumped off to the early lead in the fourth. Tech found energy and pushed Duke midway through. Duke found a spark late which would guide the Blue Devils to the 25-20 win.
In the decisive fifth set, back-to-back kills from Cerchio and senior Kai Young gave the Hokies a 12-9 advantage. Smith finished off the set with a kill of her own giving Tech the 15-13 win. The Hokies defeated Duke 3-2.
MATCH NOTES
- The win over No. 14 Duke was the second-highest ranked win in program history (No.12 Illinois is the highest).
- The victory was the second time Tech has defeated a ranked Duke team.
- Sophomore Mosley tallied her fifth straight match with double-digit digs.
- Junior Jackson earned her fourth straight match with 20 or more assists.
- Outside Hitter Smith is the team leader in kills with 89 through six matches.
UP NEXT
The Hokies will stay in Durham for the second outing against Duke on Oct. 25 at 5:30 p.m. ET inside Cameron Indoor with coverage available through the ACC Network.