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| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | F | |
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 Virginia Tech (2-0) | 19 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 15 | 3 |
 Xavier (0-2) | 25 | 19 | 18 | 26 | 10 | 2 |
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KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The Virginia Tech volleyball squad squeaked past the Xavier University Musketeers, 3-2 (19-25, 25-19, 25-18, 24-26, 15-10), to open its fifth consecutive season with back-to-back victories. Juniors Justine Record and Erin Leaser both recorded double-doubles in the match.
The Musketeers (0-2, 0-0 A-10) took control in the first set, jumping out to a quick 4-0 lead, and never surrendered their advantage, taking the first frame by a score of 25-19. The Hokies (2-0, 0-0 ACC) pushed right back in the second set, scoring the first point of the game and never relinquishing their lead. Propelled by six kills from sophomore Cara Baarendse and a .316 team hitting percentage, the Hokies tied the match, 1-1, with a 25-19 victory in the second set.
The third set started tight, with six ties in the first 22 plays, as the two teams ran the score to 11-11. The Hokies then put the match away, jumping ahead 17-13 and then 20-14, winning the third set by a score of 25-18.
A back-and-forth fourth set kept the match exciting, with 11 ties and three lead changes. Tech opened the frame with a 6-3 lead, but the Musketeers won three straight to tie the score at six apiece. The two teams traded points over the next eight plays, making it 10-10, before the Musketeers took a 15-12 lead. The Hokies rallied to make it 15-15, but the Musketeers responded with a 6-2 run, taking their largest lead of the set, 21-17. After a Tech timeout, the Hokies won four-straight points, tying the game once again, 21-21. The Musketeers got to set point, going up 24-22, but a kill by Justine Record and a bad set by Stephanie Vorherr knotted the score at 24. Musketeer Shannon Voors stuffed Xavier’s 14th kill of the set to put the Musketeers up 25-24, and an attack error by Felicia Willoughby gave them a 26-24 victory and tied the match 2-2.
Tech and Xavier alternated points in the first eight plays of the overtime set, but the Hokies then put the match away, outscoring the Musketeers 11-6 and taking the fifth and final set, 15-10.
Xavier sophomore Alex Smith led the match with an impressive 19 kills and four block assists. Cara Baarendse tied her career best, stuffing 14 kills in the match and attacking at a team-high .433 clip, while rookie Samantha Gostling followed closely with 13 kills. Justine Record notched her first double-double of the season, recording 11 kills and 11 digs, and Erin Leaser had a strong day with 45 assists, 12 digs, six kills and four block assists. Willoughby added 10 kills and five blocks and Morgan O’Neill tabbed 18 digs.
The Hokies return to the court tonight at 7 p.m. to take on the No. 19 University of Tennessee in the final match of the Comcast Lady Vol Classic. Livestats and video will both be available for the match.
For updates on Virginia Tech volleyball, follow the Hokies on Twitter (@VT_VBall).
