August 28, 2010
No. 19 Lady Vols top Hokies in tournament final
Felicia Willoughby and Cara Baarendse named to all-tournament team
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Virginia Tech (2-1) 1817210
(19) Tennessee (3-0) 2525253
  • Thompson-Boling Aren - 1,307

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The Virginia Tech volleyball team took on the No. 19 University of Tennessee Lady Vols this evening in the final match of the Comcast Lady Vol Classic. The nationally-ranked Lady Vols strolled to their third-consecutive 3-0 victory to open their season with a tournament sweep on their home court. Hokie sophomore Jennifer Wiker led both teams with 13 kills in the match and Erin Leaser recorded her second double-double of the day.

The Hokies kept the Lady Vols close at the start of the first set, but the Tennessee then pulled ahead, 14-8, and held its solid lead through to a 25-18 final.

Tech jumped out in front of the Lady Vols, 6-4, in the second set, to grab its first lead of the match. The Hokies had as much as a three-point lead over the next several plays, but Tennessee then went on an 8-0 run to pull ahead, 19-13, and put the frame away, 25-17, outscoring the Hokies, 14-4, in the final 18 plays.

The Lady Vols opened the third set with a 4-0 lead and never let the Hokies get within three points, winning the final frame, 25-21, and sweeping their third consecutive match.

Jennifer Wiker stuffed a match-high 13 kills, and Lady Vols Kayla Jeter and Nikki Fowler each had 10 of their own. Erin Leaser pulled out her second double-double of the day, notching 26 assists and 12 digs, while adding two block assists and a team-best .500 attack percentage with three kills in six attempts.

Following the close of the match, Tennessee announced the Comcast Lady Vol Classic All-Tournament team. Cara Baarendse and Felicia Willoughby represented the Hokies, while DeeDee Harrison, Leah Hinkey and tournament MVP Nikki Fowler represented the Lady Vols. Chattanooga’s Paula Passmore and Xaver’s Stephanie Vorherr rounded out the all-tournament team.

The Hokies return to action next weekend to host Coastal Carolina, Jacksonville State and Long Island in the fifth-annual Hilton Garden Hokie Invitational held in Cassell Coliseum on Sept. 3-4. Livestats for all matches will be available at www.hokiesports.com/volleyball/live and Jerry Massey will broadcast the Hokies' matches on Hokies All-Access.

For updates on Virginia Tech volleyball, follow the Hokies on Twitter (@VT_VBall).

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