Hokie ClubJACKSONVILLE, FLA. – The Virginia Tech volleyball team was unable to hold off host North Florida in the night cap of the UNF Invitational, falling in five sets. The Hokies and Ospreys traded sets, as North Florida took the deciding fifth set 16-14.
North Florida started off strong, winning the first set 25-15. The Ospreys registered 13 kills and a .286 attack percentage in the first compared to only four kills by the Hokies. Anna Butler was the leader for North Florida with four kills.
The second set was a different story for the Hokies, who rebounded to take the set win by a score of 25-21. The offense tallied 10 kills, with Mekenzi Heckmann leading the way with three kills. Logan Mosley also had four digs and Talyn Jackson added four assists.
In the third set, North Florida rallied to win 25-16. The Ospreys had a balanced attack with three different players registering three kills. Annie Antar led the way in assists with six. Virginia Tech would take the fourth set 25-20, led by freshman Kellen Morin who was a spark for the Hokies. She had two crucial kills early that set the tone of the match for Tech.
The fifth set was a tight battle for the two teams, with the Hokies jumping out early to an 8-4 lead. North Florida battled back, tying it up at 11-11. From there, the two teams traded points until a kill by Butler ended the match with a win for the Ospreys.
Heckmann ended the match with 10 kills for the Hokies, a season-high for her. Marisa Cerchio also added 10 kills. Jackson again was the team-leader in assists with 21.
The Hokies will play their final match of the UNF Invitational on Saturday, taking on Davidson at 10 a.m.