CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA. – The Virginia Tech volleyball team secured its first ACC win of the season on Friday night, defeating rival Virginia 22-25, 25-18, 25-17, 28-30, 16-14. This is the Hokies third straight win over Virginia, moving Tech to 10-13 on the season.
The win gives the Hokies one point in the Commonwealth Clash, presented by Smithfield. The score for the Commonwealth Clash currently is 2-1 in favor of Virginia Tech. For more information, visit hokiesports.com/clash.
The Hokies had their best match offensively so far in conference play, hitting .222 over the five sets. Cera Powell played a key role in the attack for Tech, recording 17 kills, tying her career-high set in 2019. The junior hit .191 on the night and added seven digs.
Graduate student Griere Hughes was also solid at the net for Tech, hitting .220 on the evening with 16 kills. She also added three blocks as the Hokies recorded nine total as a team. Senior Marisa Cerchio was the other Hokie in double figures with 11 kills, as well as four block assists and a solo block. Angel Robinson also had five block assists and eight kills, hitting .500.
Defensively, Logan Mosely and Mara Perry held down the back line with 15 and 12 digs, respectively. Brie Postema had a career-high night against Virginia, recording 47 assists over her five sets played.
The Hokies and Cavaliers battled in every set as the Hokies took the 2-1 advantage after winning the third set 25-17. Tech jumped out to a 17-10 lead after an attack error by the 'Hoos and continued to press as Robinson ended the set with a kill. The senior had three kills in that set, with a hitting percentage of .750 in the third.
The fourth set was a marathon, with Virginia taking a 30-28 fourth to force a decisive fifth set. Powell and Hughes continued to perform for the Hokie offense, each with four kills. Postema added a match-high 11 assists in the fourth as well.
Virginia Tech was able to take the early advantage in set five, jumping out to a 13-8 lead. Virginia battled, tying the set up at 14-14, but the Hokies took the win after a kill from Hughes ended the match at 16-14.
The Hokies recoded 60 kills on the evening, two away from their season-high set against Davidson in September. Tech also had nine aces, two away from their season-high. Postema led the way with three, while Robinson and Bennett each added two.
Tech looks to build off the momentum on Sunday, returning to action in Pittsburgh as they take on the No. 4 Panthers. First serve is set for 1 p.m.