Hokie ClubCORAL GABLES, Fla. — The Virginia Tech volleyball team fell to No. 15 Miami in a five-set thriller Friday night at the James L. Knight Sports Complex.
The first set opened with a service ace by Camilla Brandalise, but the Hurricanes responded with an early 10-5 lead. The Hokies battled back with a kill from Reese Hazelton and blocks from Brianna Holladay and Payton Woods, along with several Miami errors, to close the gap to 10-8. Virginia Tech fought through seven tie scores, with Woods leading the set with two kills alongside Hazelton. Miami went on a run at 19-19 and took the set, 25-23.
Miami carried its momentum into the second set, jumping out to a 12-6 lead following a 4-0 run. The Hurricanes maintained control, forcing a Virginia Tech timeout at 19-10. Despite the Hokies’ efforts to rally, Miami claimed the second set, 25-17.
The Hokies responded in the third set with renewed energy. After battling through seven tie scores, Virginia Tech built a 12-6 advantage before Miami tied it again at 14-14. The Hokies capitalized on a pair of Miami service and attack errors to take the set, 25-22.
Virginia Tech kept the pressure on in the fourth set, trading early points with Miami to an 8-8 tie before a kill from Woods put the Hokies ahead. They extended their lead to 12-9 and continued to build momentum. Elizabeth Aylward came up big with a service ace to make it 21-16 and added a block with Aisha Keric to extend the lead to 22-17. Erica Fava sealed the set with a service ace, giving the Hokies a 25-22 win to force a decisive fifth set.
Miami jumped out to a 4-1 lead in the final frame and never looked back, pulling ahead 10-3 before closing out the match, 15-3.
Up Next:
Virginia Tech continues its road trip Sunday, Oct. 26, at Florida State. First serve is set for 1 p.m. ET at Tully Gymnasium. The match will stream live on ACCNX.
Match Notes:
- Virginia Tech led the match in blocks, 13.0 to 8.0, and posted its best hitting percentage in the fourth set at .444.
- Payton Woods recorded 17 kills, four blocks and five digs for a team-high 19.0 points.
- Aisha Keric matched her season best with five kills for the third time this year, while adding nine digs (tying her season high) and two blocks.
- Elizabeth Aylward hit .857 with six kills, two service aces, one dig and two blocks.
- Brianna Holladay registered a career-best eight blocks, along with three kills and one dig.