October 30, 2010
Tech comeback falls short in 5-set thriller with Hurricanes
Cara Baarendse led the match on offense, hitting .463 with 23 kills
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Miami (17-7 (7-6 ACC)) 25231425163
Virginia Tech (15-8 (6-7 ACC)) 14252518142
  • Cassell Coliseum - 737

BLACKSBURG, Va. – After winning their 300th home match last night with an epic victory over No. 25 Florida State, the Virginia Tech volleyball team hoped to make it a perfect weekend, hosting the University of Miami Hurricanes. Though the Hokies led the match 2-1, the ‘Canes rallied for a 3-2 (25-14, 23-25, 14-25, 25-18, 16-14) victory. The win lifts the Hurricanes to 17-7 (7-6 ACC), while the Hokies drop to 15-8 (6-7 ACC).

The first set began tight, but soon the Hurricanes pushed ahead 12-6. The early lead was enough for the ‘Canes, holding on for a 25-14 victory.

After Tech opened the second set up 5-2, Miami won six straight points behind server Taylor Hollins to take an 8-5 lead. The Hokies came right back to tie it at 8, but Miami pressed up, 14-10. The Hurricanes maintained their lead for the majority of the set, but the Hokies then rallied to tie the score at 20. After the set remained tied at 22, a kill by Justine Record and an attack error by Katie Gallagher made it Tech’s set-point. Lane Carico pulled off a kill to make it 24-23, but Cara Baarendse finished them off, winning the second set, 25-23, and tying the match at one.

The Hokies led off the third set by winning the first six points behind strong serving by Justine Record, and the six-point lead was more than enough to take a 2-1 lead in the match, earning a 25-14 victory. After being held to just .073 in the first set, Tech attacked at a .433 clip in the dominant third set.

The Hurricanes took a quick 5-1 lead in the fourth set and they never lost it, pulling off a 25-18 victory in the fourth frame, tying the match at two and forcing Tech into its eighth 5-set match of the season.

The tiebreaking set began extremely close, and soon the score was tied at eight. Three straight attack errors by Justine Record gave the ‘Canes an 11-8 lead, but the Hokies fought back with kills by Record and Victoria Hamsher, reducing the deficit to one. However, the Hurricanes won the next three points to make it match-point, up 14-10. The Hokies mounted a tremendous comeback to tie the score at 14 apiece. Nevertheless, a kill by Lane Carico and an attack error by Baarendse ended the 2 hour and 14 minute marathon with a 3-2 Hurricane victory.

Cara Baarendse led the match with 23 kills and a .463 hitting percentage, adding two assists and two blocks. Justine Record pitched in another 16 kills, 15 digs and two blocks, and Felicia Willoughby added 14 kills and two block assists. Erin Leaser put up 62 assists in the match, adding two service aces, six digs and four blocks. Morgan O’Neill and Kirsten Higareda rounded out the defense, registering 17 and 12 digs, respectively, and Victoria Hamsher had eight kills and a match-leading seven block assists.

The Hokies continue their homestand next Friday night when they host the Eagles of Boston College in an ACC match beginning at 7 p.m.

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

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