BLACKSBURG – This weekend, the Virginia Tech volleyball team returns home to Blacksburg to host the Hokie Invite, a six-match tournament. The Hokies first match is Friday at Noon when they take on the George Mason Patriots, followed by another match at 7 p.m. against Wofford. The Hokies conclude the tournament against North Carolina A&T on Saturday at 3 p.m.
THINGS TO KNOW
Scouting George Mason
George Mason comes into the weekend with a 2-6 record, winning its first two matches of the season and then falling short for the next six. Offensive leader Peyton Ehmke leads the team 72 kills, 2.83 points per set, 19 total blocks, and holds a team-high .287 hitting percentage. Another Patriots leader to watch is Olyvia Kennedy who has registered 68 kills and a team-high 2.52 kills per set. Setter Erin Derick has a team-high 204 assists and 8.87 assists per set. The Patriots enter the Invite with a familiar lineup as they return 13 letterwinners and all their starters from last season, in addition to nine newcomers.
Scouting Wofford
Wofford enters the Hokie Invite on a hot streak, winning the last three games and recording a 5-4 record so far this season. Last weekend, the Terriers swept their own invitational, defeating South Carolina State 3-0, Gardner Webb 3-0, and North Alabama 3-1. Wofford's Tournament MVP was awarded to sophomore setter Emily Hodsdon. Outside hitter Addison Foote and middle blocker Sarah Barham claimed All-Tournament Team recognition. Leading Wofford, Meghan Yaffa has grabbed 91 kills, good for 2.94 kills per set, and 3.58 points per set. The Terriers are averaging 10.8 assists per set, recording 56 aces, and totaling 391 kills this season.
Scouting North Carolina A&T
The Aggies are currently 5-4 on the season, coming off a 3-0 loss to Wake Forest on Tuesday. The previous weekend, North Carolina A&T went 2-0, topping North Carolina Central 3-0 and Mercer 3-1. Freshman outside hitter Naiya Sawtelle has led the Aggies so far this week with 32 kills. The assist leader, Edie Brew, totaled 50 assists this weekend, while the Aggies average 10.6 assists per set and 11.7 kills per set.
Chattanooga Classic
The Hokies most recently competed at the Chattanooga Classic, finishing the weekend with a 2-1 record. Tech opened the weekend with a 3-1 loss to Troy but bounced back to defeat Chattanooga 3-2 and Tennessee Tech 3-0. The Hokies won the tournament, their second tournament win of the season, and Angel Robinson, Griere Hughes and Logan Mosley were named to the All-Tournament Team.
Most Outstanding Player
Following her weekend, Angel Robinson was named Most Outstanding Player at the Chattanooga Classic. The middle blocker totaled 21 kills and a .370 hitting percentage, competing in all 12 sets and posting 12 total blocks. Robinson had her best match of the weekend in the team's win over Chattanooga, recording 11 kills, a .375 hitting percentage, and six blocks, a weekend-high for her.
UP NEXT
Following the Hokie Invite, Virginia Tech begins ACC play. The Hokies play their first two matches in Blacksburg, with the first against Clemson on Friday, Sept. 24 at 6 p.m. and their second against Georgia Tech on Sunday, Sept. 26 at 1 p.m.
