Hokie ClubSYRACUSE, N.Y. — Virginia Tech (12-19, 4-16 ACC) wrapped up its season with a 3-1 victory over Syracuse (13-17, 5-15 ACC) at the Women’s Center, snapping a three-match losing streak to the Orange. The win also marked a significant milestone for head coach Marci Byers, who earned her 300th career victory in her sixth season at the helm of the Hokies.
The match began with Virginia Tech taking an early 3-0 lead, which they held throughout the first set. The Hokies were the first to reach 15 at 15-12, and after the break, they pushed their lead to 25. Isabella Mishler contributed four kills (.667), while Payton Woods added five kills (.250). Brianna Holladay also made her presence felt with four kills and a .286 hitting percentage. Leading 21-18, the Hokies forced Syracuse to call a timeout, but Virginia Tech ultimately took the set 25-22, with Brianna Holladay delivering the final kill assisted by Camilla Brandalise.
The second set was a battle, with eight tie scores and three lead changes. Holladay and Mishler kept the Hokies in the mix, and they took a 20-18 lead to force a Syracuse timeout. However, the Orange rallied to tie the score at 24-24 and ultimately won the set 26-24, capping a 2-0 run to even the match at 1-1.
Virginia Tech came out strong in the third set, jumping to an early 8-2 lead thanks to a 6-0 run. Syracuse was forced to call a timeout, but the Hokies kept their momentum going. Blocks and kills from Holladay, Aisha Keric, and Woods helped extend the lead to 19-12. After the break, the Hokies capitalized on Syracuse errors and solid play to finish the set 25-20. Elizabeth Aylward sealed the set with a kill.
The fourth set was a back-and-forth affair, with 18 tie scores and multiple lead changes. Tied at 25-25, Woods put Virginia Tech ahead with a crucial kill, and then, with the match on the line, Keric delivered a career-high eighth kill to secure the 27-25 win for the Hokies. The final set saw Holladay, Keric, and Mishler work together to lead Virginia Tech's offense and defense, with Holladay recording her first career double-double with 13 kills (a career high) and 10 digs.
With the win, Virginia Tech finished the 2025 campaign on a high note. The victory also marked head coach Marci Byers’ 300th career win and capped her second-best season at the helm, highlighting the Hokies’ growth and development under her leadership.
Match Notes:
- The Hokies posted a .268 hitting percentage in the first set, followed by .300 in the third set and .325 in the fourth, leading each of those sets.
- Virginia Tech dominated in blocks, finishing with a 13-5 advantage.
- Brianna Holladay had a career-high 13 kills (.455) and 10 digs, leading the team with 18.5 points and recording her first career double-double.
- Aisha Keric also set a career high with eight kills (.300) and 14 digs.
- Isabella Mishler led the Hokies with 11 kills (.391), two service aces, and three blocks, finishing with 14.5 points.