Hokie ClubCLEMSON, SC -- The Virginia Tech volleyball team took down Clemson 3-2 on Friday night to open ACC play 1-0. This is the first win over the Tigers in the Marci Byers' era.
The conference win improved Virginia Tech's record to 8-4 overall, with the 1-0 start in the conference.
The Hokies offense was paced by Ava Francis, who finished with 17 kills on the day (a season-high) while posting a hitting percentage of .452. Cera Powell added 15 kills and Sydney Petersen chipped in with 12 as part of a balanced Virginia Tech attack. Defensively, Tech had two players reach double figures in digs as Maddie Slagle had 26 and Hanna Borer had 14. Borer finished the match with a double-double, adding 34 assists in the win.
From the front row, the Hokie block was a big factor in the win with 12 total. Cara Lewis recorded six blocks and Petersen added four, including a block to clinch the fifth set at 15-12.
Game Notes
» Virginia Tech had three players in double figures in kills.
» Logan Mosley had a team-high two aces in the win.
» Ava Francis had a team-high 17 kills for Virginia Tech.
» Virginia Tech got a team-high 26 digs from Maddie Slagle.
» Virginia Tech attackers were helped by a team-high 34 assists from Hanna Borer.
How It Happened
The Hokies dropped set one 25-21 despite a solid showing on the attacking end. Virginia Tech registered a .387 attack percentage with 14 kills in the set loss. Powell had seven of those kills, with a .583 hitting percentage.
Virginia Tech responded to pick up a 26-24 victory in the second set, evening the match at one set apiece. Neither team led by more than three points along the way. The Virginia Tech offense also got a boost from three aces in the set, as well as six Hokies recording at least one kill. The Hokie defense also picked up 15 digs.
The momentum stayed with the Hokies in the third set, pulling out a 28-26 win in a set that featured seven lead changes and was tied 13 times. Neither team opened up a lead of more than three points along the way. The Hokies racked up 20 kills over the course of the set, as Franicis led the way with five kills, hitting .625. Borer also had 12 assists in the set four win.
The Tigers forced a fifth set with a 25-22 fourth-set win. Clemson grabbed the advantage for good at 14-13 and remained in the lead, despite the battle from the Hokies. The fourth set was the Hokies biggest struggle offensively, hitting .089.
The Hokies persevered in a back-and-forth final set to take the 15-12 victory and match win. Neither team led by more than three points in the set. The Hokie block was clutch in the fifth, recording four total blocks, led by Lewis and Petersen. Lewis also added three kills, hitting .400. Slagle also picked up four digs to aid in the win. Tech hit .368 in the fifth, with the help from for assists from Borer.
Virginia Tech looks to build off this win on Sunday, taking on No. 13 Georgia Tech on Sunday in Atlanta.
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