A group of volleyball players in white jerseys and red arm sleeves stand in a huddle on a court, with spectators seated in the background.A group of volleyball players in white jerseys and red arm sleeves stand in a huddle on a court, with spectators seated in the background.
Peyton Stavrou / Virginia Tech Athletics
Volleyball

Hokies fall to William & Mary in five-set battle

Hokies rally for fourth-set win before falling in decisive fifth

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Box Score

BLACKSBURG — Virginia Tech volleyball fell 3-2 (18-25, 25-21, 25-27, 25-17, 12-15) to William & Mary on Friday night at Cassell Coliseum.

The first set opened with the Hokies immediately facing pressure as the Tribe took an early 5-2 lead. Fighting to regain control, Tech responded with a 3-0 run, highlighted by a kill from Destiny Walker and back-to-back blocks from Izzy Mishler and Isabella Lopez and then Mishler and Walker to cut the deficit to 10-8.

Working through a series of close scores, Reese Hazelton recorded a service ace to tie the set at 14-14. William & Mary regained the lead and capitalized on a quick run to take the opening set, 25-18.

Needing to respond, Tech came out strong in the second set, establishing an early lead. The Hokies maintained their momentum with a series of blocks and key plays, including a service ace from Camdynn Gonzalez. Hazelton delivered several decisive kills as Tech built a six-point lead and secured the set, 25-21. Hazelton and Camilla Brandalise each recorded three blocks, while Mishler led the Hokies with six as Tech totaled eight team blocks in the set.

The third set featured another back-and-forth battle, with multiple ties throughout. Tech used a 3-0 run, capitalizing on Tribe errors, to take a lead before William & Mary responded with a 4-0 run to go ahead 15-13. Fighting to regain the advantage, the Hokies evened the score at 19-19 before Brandalise delivered back-to-back service aces to give Tech a 21-19 lead. William & Mary fought back to tie the set at 24-24 before ultimately taking the frame, 27-25.

Virginia Tech capitalized on William & Mary errors in the fourth set and built a 20-13 advantage. Kills and aces from Walker forced a Tribe timeout as the Hokies continued to expand the lead. Tech closed the set with a decisive run, highlighted by kills from Hazelton and Torres and a 25-17 victory to force a fifth set.

William & Mary took control early in the fifth set, putting pressure on the Hokies to respond. Adeline Hundl and Layla Moore helped anchor Tech's defense at the net with a combined five blocks, while Moore and Hundl added kills alongside Walker and Hazelton. The Hokies battled until the end but fell 15-12 to the Tribe.

Up Next
Tech returns to Cassell Coliseum Saturday at 3 p.m. ET to face Coppin State. The match will be streamed live on ACCNX.