Hokie ClubEVANSTON, Ill. — Virginia Tech fell to LIU, 3-1 (25-16, 23-25, 25-20, 25-22), Sunday afternoon at Welsh-Ryan Arena to close out the Northwestern Invitational.
Reese Hazelton continued her strong weekend for the Hokies, recording her second consecutive double-double with 16 kills and 19 digs. The sophomore added six blocks and three aces after posting a career-high 26 kills and 18 digs against Wisconsin Green Bay on day two of the tournament.
The first set opened with LIU taking an early 3-1 lead before Virginia Tech battled back to tie the frame at 3-3 behind kills from Izzy Mishler and Adeline Hundl. The Sharks regained control, building a 9-6 advantage before extending their lead to 15-12. LIU continued to pressure the Hokies, pushing its advantage to 21-14 and forcing a Virginia Tech timeout. Tech responded with kills from Frances Torres and Mishler to cut the deficit to 23-16, but LIU closed the set on back-to-back points to take the opening frame, 25-16.
Virginia Tech responded in the second set, opening with a 6-1 lead behind three consecutive service aces from Hazelton and kills from Mishler and Sara Gasparini. LIU worked to close the gap, but Tech maintained its advantage at 12-7 before the Sharks cut the deficit to 14-12. The Hokies continued to hold the lead, with kills from Torres, Mishler and Hazelton helping Tech reach a 16-13 advantage. LIU eventually tied the set at 16-16 before the teams traded points late. After four more ties, Tech used a 3-0 run to take a 23-20 lead. LIU answered to tie the set at 23-23, but a kill from Hazelton and a block from Mishler and Torres gave the Hokies the 25-23 win to even the match.
The third set jumped out to a LIU 5-2 lead in the third set before extending its advantage to 10-3 and forcing a Virginia Tech timeout. The Hokies responded with a 4-0 run, highlighted by kills from Hazelton and Moore, to cut the deficit to 10-7. Tech continued to battle, cutting the LIU lead to 14-12 behind kills from Hazelton and Torres. The Sharks regained control, pushing their advantage to 20-16 before reaching set point at 24-20. LIU closed out the set on the next point to take a 2-1 match lead.
The fourth set opened with LIU taking a 5-1 advantage before Virginia Tech battled back to tie the frame at 8-8. The Hokies then used a 3-0 run, sparked by back-to-back service aces from Hazelton, to take a 10-8 lead. The teams traded points throughout the middle of the set, with Tech holding a 15-14 advantage before LIU responded to take a 17-16 lead. Virginia Tech continued to battle, tying the set at 18-18 behind kills from Mishler and Gasparini. LIU answered with a 4-0 run to build a 22-18 lead, but the Hokies cut the deficit to 23-21 behind kills from Torres and Gasparini. The Sharks reached match point at 24-22 and closed out the set, 25-22, to secure the match 3-1.
Match Notes
- Reese Hazelton led the Hokies with 16 kills and 19 digs, adding six blocks and three aces for her second double-double of the weekend.
- Izzy Mishler recorded 11 kills while hitting a team-best .400, adding four blocks and 20 digs.
- Frances Torres contributed 10 kills while hitting .231, adding four blocks and four digs.
- Sara Gasparini finished with six kills, 13 digs and two assists.
- Adeline Hundl added six kills and 23 digs, along with two blocks.
- Layla Moore contributed four kills while hitting .214, adding two blocks and 14 digs.
- Camilla Brandalise paced the offense with 26 assists, while Camdynn Gonzalez added 21 assists and two aces.
- Ivy Cooper led the Hokies defensively with 23 digs.
- Tech finished with 53 kills on 152 attacks, hitting .191 as a team.
- The Hokies totaled 52 assists, 71 digs and five blocks.
- Tech had two players record double-doubles, with Hazelton and Mishler leading the Hokies offensively.
Up Next
The Hokies return to action Friday, Sept. 18, taking on South Carolina at the Carolina Volleyball Center in Columbia, S.C. The match will be streamed live on SEC Network+.