BLACKSBURG, Va. -- The Virginia Tech volleyball team won the first set, but couldn't hang on and lost 3-1 (25-22, 19-25, 15-25, 16-25) to the North Carolina Tar Heels Sunday at home in Cassell Coliseum.
The loss dropped Virginia Tech's record to 9-8 overall and 2-4 in ACC action.
Cara Lewis finished with nine kills on the day to lead the Hokies attack, finishing with a hitting percentage of .389. Defensively, Tech had four players reach double figures in digs, highlighted by Maddie Slagle's 17. The Hokies also got 13 from Hanna Borer, and 12 more from Logan Mosley. Borer finished with a double-double on the day, adding 14 assists.
Game Notes
» Virginia Tech had four players in double figures in digs.
» Anabel Zier had a match-high three aces in the loss.
» Cara Lewis had a team-high nine kills for Virginia Tech.
» Virginia Tech got a team-high 17 digs from Maddie Slagle.
» Virginia Tech attackers were helped by a team-high 15 assists from Jenna Appel.
How It Happened
The Hokies persevered in a back-and-forth first set to win 25-22 in a set that featured three lead changes and was tied eight times. Neither team led by more than four points in the match. The Hokie block got going early, recording four of its nine blocks in the first set. Tech also had its best offensive performance in the first set, hitting .267, with Sydney Petersen hitting .429 with four kills. The Hokie attackers were also helped by six assists each from Jenna Appel and Borer.
Virginia Tech then fell in the second set 25-19, tying the match at a set apiece. The Tar Heels bounced back to hit a match-high .364, as Charley Niego got hot with six kills and a .600 hitting percentage. Anita Babic added 11 assists and Maddy May added six digs.
A third-set loss put Virginia Tech down 2-1. The Hokies lost a tough set 25-15. Cera Powell recorded three kills in the set to lead the Hokies and Maddie Slagle added four digs. Tech also got four blocks from the front row, as Petersen led the way with three.
Virginia Tech lost set four and the match, falling 25-16. The Hokies went point-for-point with the Heels until UNC took over with a four-point lead at 10-6. From there, North Carolina closed out the set, hitting .267 with 18 kills. Overall, Mabrey Shaffmaster led all players with 22 kills, hitting .239 on the day. Babic added 46 assists and May finished her day with 22 digs.
The Hokies hit the road next weekend, making the trip to No. 2 Louisville on Friday and Notre Dame on Sunday.
Gallery: (10-10-2022) VB: North Carolina Match