Hokie ClubCHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — The Virginia Tech volleyball team fell to Virginia, 3-1 (25-19, 25-19, 22-25, 25-23), Wednesday night at Memorial Gymnasium.
The Hokies opened the first set trading points with the Cavaliers before Virginia built a 7-4 advantage. Tech responded with a 5-0 run, highlighted by a block from Izzy Mishler and Adeline Hundl and a kill from Mishler, to take a 10-9 lead. The Cavaliers answered with a run of their own to regain control and extended their advantage late in the set. Kills from Destiny Walker and Reese Hazelton helped Tech stay within reach, but Virginia closed the set, 25-19.
Virginia carried its momentum into the second set, opening with five consecutive points. The Hokies worked to cut into the deficit, with kills from Hundl, Walker and Layla Moore helping Tech remain in contention. Virginia maintained its lead throughout the set, despite late contributions from Walker and a block by Mishler and Camilla Brandalise. The Cavaliers secured another 25-19 victory to take a 2-0 match lead.
Tech responded in the third set, battling through a tightly contested frame. After the teams traded points early, the Hokies rallied to even the score at 9-9 before taking the lead. Brandalise contributed two service aces during the stretch, while Walker and Frances Torres added kills to keep the offense moving. The teams remained close through a series of ties before Tech pulled ahead late. Torres and Walker delivered key kills down the stretch, and Walker recorded the final point to give the Hokies a 25-22 set victory and extend the match.
The fourth set featured another back-and-forth battle, with the Hokies taking an early lead and pushing ahead 10-6. Virginia responded to even the score at 19-19 before taking a late advantage. The Cavaliers moved ahead 23-20, but Tech fought back with kills from Hazelton, Torres and Walker to pull within one at 24-23. Virginia closed the set on the next point to claim a 25-23 victory and secure the match.
With the win, the Cavaliers earned half a point in the Smithfield Commonwealth Clash. The score for the Commonwealth Clash currently is 1.0.-0.5 in favor of Virginia Tech. More information on the series can be found at hokiesports.com/commonwealth-clash.
Up Next
Virginia Tech returns to Cassell Coliseum on Friday at 6 p.m. to face Virginia in the teams' second matchup of the Smithfield Commonwealth Clash. The match will be streamed live on ACC Network Extra.
Match Notes:
- Walker led Virginia Tech with 16 kills, hitting .314, and added five digs.
- Torres recorded a season-best 11 kills.
- Hazelton finished with nine kills, 10 digs and two block assists.
- Brandalise led the Hokies with 31 assists and added seven digs and three service aces.
- Cooper led Virginia Tech with 12 digs.
- The Hokies recorded 48 kills, 42 assists, 47 digs and eight total team blocks.
- Virginia Tech moves to 4-12 overall and 1-6 in ACC play.