Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG - The Hokies (7-14, 1-10 ACC) fell to No. 12 SMU (16-6, 8-3 ACC) on Friday evening in three sets (23-25, 21-25, 19-25).
HOW IT HAPPENED
Set one was a battle from the jump. The squads traded points right from point one until the Mustangs captured a four-point lead heading into mid-set, but the Hokies were able to hang on to the bitter end, leaving the first with a 23-25 set loss with Belle Patrick securing four kills and four digs.
Set two resembled set one, with the squads working to secure and advantage and both failing until late in the set. SMU pulled away at 20-20 and never looked back, taking set two, 21-25. Malinowski, Pearce and Patrick were all healthy offensive contributors with three kills apiece.
The Mustangs were able to capture an early lead in set three, keeping the Hokies at bay with a four-point deficit for the rest of the match, securing the sweep with a 19-25 set three. Jordan Hallman led defensive efforts with one block solo and one block assist while Patrick secured three additional digs.
GAME NOTES
- Belle Patrick led offensively and on serve-receive with 10 kills, nine digs, one ace and 19 perfect receptions.
- Jordan Hallman led defense at the net with five total blocks, one solo and four assists, recording her eighth match of the season with 5+ blocks.
- Viktoria Wahlgren tallied 17 assists and paired them with four block assists, two aces and two kills.
- Sarah Malinowski totaled six kills with three block assists while Jasmine Robinson totaled four kills with three block assists.
- Ece Yildiz recorded her second career ace against the Mustangs.
- Tech totaled 43 kills, 41 assists, 34 digs, eight total blocks and eight service aces.
UP NEXT
The Hokies welcome No. 1 Pitt to Cassell Coliseum on Sunday for a Haunted Cassell match at 1 p.m.