Hokie ClubSYRACUSE, N.Y. – The Virginia Tech volleyball team rallied to defeat Syracuse, 3-2 (23-25, 25-16, 22-25, 26-24, 15-11), Sunday afternoon at the Women's Building.
The win moves the Hokies to 6-13 overall and 3-7 in ACC play, tying the all-time series with Syracuse at 11-11 and marking Tech's second consecutive win over the Orange.
Destiny Walker led the Hokies with 13 kills and 14 digs, recording her fifth double-double of the season. Adeline Hundl and Reese Hazelton each added 14 kills, while Camilla Brandalise finished with 48 assists. The Hokies totaled 56 kills and 12.5 team blocks in the five-set victory.
The Hokies opened the first set trading points with the Orange before using a pair of blocks from Izzy Mishler, Adeline Hundl and Camilla Brandalise to build momentum. Kills from Reese Hazelton, Frances Torres and Georgia Trexler helped Tech take a 12-9 lead. Syracuse responded to even the score at 13-13, and the teams continued to trade points through a series of ties. The Orange pulled ahead late, but kills from Destiny Walker and Hundl helped the Hokies cut into the deficit. Syracuse closed the set, 25-23, to take the early match lead.
Tech responded in the second set, using a strong start to build an early advantage. Hazelton and Hundl opened the scoring with kills before a block from Hundl and Trexler and a kill from Walker helped push the Hokies ahead. Tech continued to build its lead with contributions from Mishler and Walker, while Hundl added key kills to keep the offense moving. Brandalise recorded two service aces late in the set, and a kill from Hundl followed by a block from Hazelton and Trexler sealed the 25-16 victory to even the match.
Syracuse jumped out to an early lead in the third set, taking a 7-1 advantage. Walker and Mishler helped Tech work its way back into the set, while a block from Hazelton brought the Hokies within one at 9-8. The Orange answered to extend their lead, but Tech continued to battle behind kills from Walker and Hundl. The teams traded points late, with Frances Torres and Hazelton helping Tech tie the score at 21-21. Syracuse regained control down the stretch, scoring the final points to take the set, 25-22, and move ahead 2-1.
The fourth set saw the Hokies work to overcome an early deficit after Syracuse built a 10-5 lead. Tech chipped away at the Orange advantage with kills from Mishler, Walker and Georgia Trexler, while Hazelton delivered a series of kills to help spark the comeback. Trailing 21-17, the Hokies rallied behind Hazelton's attack and service pressure to even the score at 21-21. Hundl added a key kill to help Tech take the lead, and the teams continued to trade points late. With the set tied at 24-24, the Hokies secured the next two points to earn a 26-24 win and force a deciding fifth set.
Tech carried its momentum into the fifth set, using early points from Trexler and the offense to take control. The teams stayed within reach of one another, but the Hokies maintained their advantage down the stretch. Hundl delivered back-to-back kills to close out the set, giving Virginia Tech a 15-11 victory and completing the comeback.
Match Notes:
- Walker recorded her fifth double-double of the season with 13 kills and 14 digs.
- Hundl and Hazelton each finished with 14 kills.
- Brandalise tallied 48 assists and nine digs.
- The Hokies recorded 56 kills, 54 assists, 56 digs, six service aces and 12.5 team blocks.
- Virginia Tech's win evens the all-time series with Syracuse at 11-11 and marks the Hokies' second consecutive victory over the Orange.
- The Hokies move to 6-13 overall and 3-7 in ACC play.
Up Next
Virginia Tech returns home to Cassell Coliseum next weekend, hosting Florida State on Friday at 6 p.m. before welcoming Miami on Sunday at 12:30 p.m. Both matches will be streamed live on ACC Network Extra (ACCNX).