Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG — The Virginia Tech volleyball team claimed its season-opening tournament Saturday afternoon by defeating Elon 3-1 (26-24, 25-17, 20-25, 25-22) at Carilion Clinic Court at Cassell Coliseum. With the win, Tech improves to 3-0 on the season, while Elon drops to 1-2.
Following the tournament, Cera Powell and Tasha Vipond were named to the All-Tournament team after their performance this weekend. Both had a big role in the Hokies' three wins, as both had a large role in the win over Elon in the final match.
Powell paced three Hokies in double-figure kills with 13. Marisa Cerchio and Vipond both tallied 11 kills for the tournament hosts. Vipond registered a match-high .588 hitting clip. Brie Postema (28) and Mara Perry (23) combined for 51 assists, while Mary Page led four Tech players in double-figure digs with 15.
As a team, Tech hit .285 and held the Phoenix to .212. The Hokies also dialed up five aces, which included the match-winner from Postema.
Leah Daniel put down a match-high 21 kills to lead Elon. Haylie Clark dished out 42 assists and Jordan Gower posted a match-best 19 digs.
Set 1
Led by Vipond's six kills, Tech hit .469 in the opening stanza. The Hokies were on top by as many as six in the frame before Elon mounted a comeback to tie the score at 24. Back-to-back points off the arm of Vipond sealed the deal for the Hokies, 26-24.
Set 2
The second set, which included five ties, saw Powell pace the Tech attack with four kills. Cerchio totaled two of her three kills in the frame during a 9-0 surge for Tech to break a 13-all tie. Powell put the finishing touches on the 25-17 set win with her kill to the back left corner of the court.
Set 3
Elon totaled four blocks and limited the Hokies to a .216 hitting clip in the third frame to tally the 25-20 victory. Tied at 13 following an Angel Robinson block, the Phoenix embarked on an 11-4 run, putting Tech in a deficit it could not recover from.
Set 4
Trailing 11-7, Tech won eight of the next nine points to surge ahead, 15-12. Elon clawed back to tie the score at 22 before the Hokies closed on a 3-0 run capped by a Page ace. Powell once again led the Tech attack with four kills in set four.
Up Next
The Hokies travel to Jacksonville, Florida for the UNF Invitational hosted by North Florida, Sept. 3-4. Tech will face Georgia State, the host Ospreys and Davidson while in the Sunshine State.
Gallery: (8-28-2021) 2021 VOLLEYEBALL vs. ELON