Following a win over Virginia Tech Wednesday night that extended the Cavaliers' winning streak over the Hokies to nine games, Virginia volleyball headed to Blacksburg Friday in hopes of achieving another sweep over the in-state rival. However, the Cavaliers (6-11, 2-6 ACC) were not able to repeat the offensive success of Wednesday against the Hokies (5-12, 2-6 ACC), who ended their losing streak against the Cavaliers in the rivalry.
Virginia lost 25-18, 25-11 and 25-21 in straight sets Friday night in Cassell Coliseum. It was the first loss the Cavaliers had suffered against Virginia Tech since 2021. The loss also split the two-game Commonwealth Clash against the Hokies after the Cavaliers defeated them in four sets Wednesday.
Third-year right side hitter Becca Wight had the most kills with six. Virginia Tech’s senior right side hitter Frances Torres had 13 kills and a hitting percentage of .423. Junior outside hitter Destiny Walker also had 10 kills, and junior middle blocker Izzy Mishler had eight kills on 10 attempts for a hitting percentage of .800.
The first set started evenly between the two teams. Virginia and Virginia Tech scored points back and forth until Virginia Tech pulled ahead 6-5. Virginia then pulled ahead 9-6 on four straight points. It appeared that the Cavaliers had some carry-over from their Wednesday victory in the rematch.
However, Virginia Tech was able to respond to the Cavaliers’ initial lead. After two attack errors by the Cavaliers, the Hokies evened the score at 9-9. Walker and junior outside hitter Reese Hazelton then helped Virginia Tech take an 11-10 lead.
Virginia Tech then took a five-point advantage. Hazelton recorded a service ace and a block by Torres and sophomore middle blocker Layla Moore helped the Hokies take a 15-10 lead.
Virginia was not able to respond to Virginia Tech’s strong offense. Although the Cavaliers were within striking distance, they were not able to cut the lead to less than three points throughout the set. Torres also had two kills later on to help the Hokies take a 25-18 lead in the first set.
Virginia then took a 1-0 lead in the second set after a kill by fourth-year setter Hannah Scott. However, Virginia Tech ripped off three straight points and never relinquished the lead.
Virginia Tech extended their lead as Walker, Torres and Hazelton all had strong offensive performances. Behind 10-6, Virginia was struggling to defend their opponents’ offense.
Virginia was within four points at 11-7, but the Hokies scored on four of the next five points in the set to increase their lead. Virginia struggled to find any momentum on offense.
Virginia’s second set was the most difficult offensive set for the Cavaliers during the night. Virginia only recorded seven kills during the set while Virginia Tech recorded 14 kills with a hitting percentage of .444. Virginia Tech also had two service aces by senior setter Camilla Brandalise and sophomore libero Ivy Cooper.
Mishler also recorded three kills in the second set. Virginia Tech then took a dominant 25-11 lead in the second set putting the Hokies with a 2-0 lead in the match. Now, the Cavaliers would have to win three straight sets to avoid their first loss to Virginia Tech in five years.
In the third set, Virginia was able to show more promise in the opening points. Fourth-year libero Katie Barrier recorded two service aces and the Cavaliers were out to a 4-1 lead.
Virginia Tech was able to respond, tying the score at 6-6. The two teams continued to score points back and forth as neither team gained a large advantage in the middle of the set.
The score held at 10-10, 11-11, 12-12, 13-13 and 14-14 as Virginia continued to try to extend the match. However, Virginia Tech finally broke through, increasing their lead to 17-14 on kills by Walker, Mishler and Hazelton.
Torres also contributed to the Virginia Tech offense with a service ace and several kills. Virginia Tech then extended their lead to 21-16, within four points of ending Virginia’s winning streak in the rivalry.
The Cavaliers scored in the final sets and cut the lead to 22-21. This created pressure on Virginia Tech to end the game.
Torres then recorded a kill to extend Virginia Tech’s lead to 23-21 and then Brandalise recorded a service ace. After an attack error on a Virginia point, the third set was decided 25-21 in favor of Virginia Tech.
Virginia Tech ended the match with 40 kills, 45 digs, six total team blocks and five service aces. Brandalise recorded 27 assists while libero Ivy Cooper had a team-high of 11 digs. Hazelton also had eight kills and 10 digs helping Virginia Tech in the match.
The loss to Virginia Tech also ended a win streak in the Commonwealth Clash against the Hokies. Virginia had won nine straight matches against Virginia Tech including their win over the Hokies in four sets Wednesday in Memorial Gymnasium. Virginia Tech’s last win against the Cavaliers in the rivalry was in 2021 when the Hokies defeated the Cavaliers in five sets in Charlottesville.
The loss also tied both teams at 2-6 in ACC play, which made the match particularly important as both teams seek to improve in the conference. Virginia Tech received half a point in the annual Smithfield Commonwealth Clash, just as Virginia received Wednesday.
Virginia will now head to Syracuse Friday at 6 p.m. followed by a match against Boston College at 1 p.m. Sunday. The Cavaliers will look to regain their offensive strength and inch closer to .500 in ACC play.
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