Hokie ClubDURHAM, N.C. — A career night from Elizabeth Aylward lifted the Virginia Tech volleyball team to a five-set victory over Duke on Thursday night at Cameron Indoor Stadium.
The opening frame set the tone for a tightly contested evening, featuring 17 ties and five lead changes. With the set knotted at 27–27, Aylward delivered a kill to give the Hokies set point before blocks by Isabella Mishler and Reese Hazelton sealed the 29–27 win. Aylward led the way with five kills on .556 hitting and two blocks, while the Hokies posted their highest block total of the night with 5.0.
The second set brought another close battle with four lead changes and six ties, but after a 6–6 deadlock, Duke broke away with a 9–0 run to build a 14–6 lead and went on to take the set 25–18. Virginia Tech again held the edge at the net with a 2.0–0.0 block advantage, led by Aisha Keric’s four kills, a dig and a block, while Payton Woods added three kills and a block.
Looking to rebound in the third, the Hokies opened with a 5–0 run to force a Duke timeout. Tech controlled the net once more with a 2.0–0.0 blocks advantage and received a strong set from Mishler, who hit .375 with four kills and two blocks. Sarah Malinowski added three kills on .286 hitting, while Hazelton chipped in three kills and five digs. Duke threatened late, but Keric’s kill delivered set point at 24–22, and Ivy Cooper followed with an ace to close out the 25–22 win.
In the fourth set, the frame opened with a 5–5 tie before the Blue Devils responded with a push to take a 13–9 lead, forcing a Virginia Tech timeout. The Hokies narrowed the gap to 23–20, but Duke maintained control down the stretch and closed out the set 25–20 to force a decisive fifth frame.
The match was decided in a tense final set, with Virginia Tech prevailing 16–14. The Hokies jumped out to a 6–2 lead before Duke answered with a 5–1 run to even the score at 7–7. The teams traded points until Duke inched ahead 10–8, but the Hokies battled back to tie it again at 14–14. Aylward then delivered back-to-back kills to secure the victory, finishing the final frame with four kills on .800 hitting.
Up Next
Virginia Tech continues its tour of the Triangle with a matchup at No. 15 North Carolina, Sunday, Nov. 16, at 1 p.m. ET at Carmichael Arena.
Match Notes
- Elizabeth Aylward recorded a career night with 15 kills, 11 digs and four blocks.
- The Hokies posted a season-high 97 digs and 57 assists.
- Tech led the match in blocks, 9.0–4.0.
- Isabella Mishler tallied six blocks and 11 kills on .450 hitting.
- Camilla Brandalise recorded a career-high two kills.