BLACKSBURG – The Virginia Tech volleyball team hosts North Carolina on Friday afternoon at 4 p.m. in Cassell Coliseum. Tech will also celebrate eight Hokies seniors and graduate students before and after the match.
THINGS TO KNOW
Scouting UNC
The Tar Heels enter Friday's match with an 18-7 overall record and a 7-7 ACC record after a pair of losses last weekend. The Tar Heels have lost back-to-back ACC matchups with a 3-0 loss to Notre Dame and a 3-1 loss to No. 2 Louisville. Offensively, UNC is outhitting opponents with a .259 hitting percentage compared to .197 by opponents. The Tar Heels are also outperforming opponents on the defensive end, recording 1,220 digs (13.6 per set) vs. 1,087 from opponents (12.1 per set). Nia Robinson leads the team with 4.05 points per set, recording 334 kills and 3.84 kills per set. Mabrey Shaffmaster is averaging 3.81 points per set with 298 kills. At the net, Kayla Merkler has 84 total blocks, averaging 1.02 blocks per set.
Last time against UNC
The Hokies and Tar Heels faced off earlier this season on Oct. 10, with North Carolina taking a 3-0 victory over the Hokies. After falling 25-8 in the first set, Tech battled in the second, jumping out to a 19-15 lead after an ace from Mara Perry. The Hokies couldn't hold on as North Carolina used an 8-1 run to take the lead at 23-21. Virginia Tech battled but ultimately fell 25-23 in the second set. Cera Powell ended her match with eight kills, while Marisa Cerchio led the team in hitting percentage, hitting .200 on the day with four kills. Logan Mosley recorded six digs and Brie Postema added 16 assists.
Senior Night
The Hokies will honor eight members of the 2021 squad, including three seniors, four graduate students and the Hokies' head manager. Angel Robinson, Talyn Jackson and Sarah Jane Lynch have been members of the Tech squad since 2018, playing a role in the leadership of this young Hokie squad. Marisa Cerchio, Tasha Vipond and Kai Young each took their extra year due to COVID-19, all providing offensive power and playing a big role in the Hokie block over the course of their careers. Graduate student Griere Hughes transferred to the Hokies for the 2021 season after playing for Arizona State and Iowa. She will finish her career with a master's in Agricultural and Life Sciences: Leadership studies.
ACC Leaders
Logan Mosley is currently fourth in the ACC in digs with 354 total, as well as 10th in digs per set with 3.61 on the season. Middle blocker Angel Robinson secures the eighth spot for hitting percentage, posting a .340, a team-high, on 312 total attempts. Sophomore Cierra Huntley is ranked fifth in service aces per set, holding an average of .35 with 18 total.
UP NEXT
The Hokies have a busy weekend next week, hosting Boston College in Cassell at 2 p.m. Tech will then make the trip to South Bend to take on Notre Dame at Noon on Sunday.
