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| 1 | 2 | 3 | F | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Virginia Tech (18-8) | 28 | 25 | 25 | 3 |
 Georgia Tech (16-12) | 26 | 22 | 22 | 0 |
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ATLANTA, Ga. – The Virginia Tech volleyball team opened a crucial four-match road trip this evening with a visit to Georgia Tech. After earning a hard-fought, 28-26, win in the first set, the Hokies cruised to a 3-0 victory over the Yellow Jackets with a pair of 25-22 wins. It is just the second time that the Hokies have defeated Georgia Tech in Atlanta and the first time since 2006. The win lifts the Hokies into a tie for third place in the ACC with an 18-8 (9-7 ACC) record, while the Yellow Jackets drop to 16-12 (9-7 ACC).
The first set was a back-and-forth nail-biter and soon the score was tied 21-21. The Yellow Jackets won the next three points to go ahead 24-21, but the Hokies did not quit, and a Yellow Jacket attack error and a pair of kills by Cara Baarendse and Felicia Willoughby tied the score at 24, sending the set into extras. Georgia Tech went up 25-24 and again 26-25, but the Hokies then won three straight points, capped off by a block assist by Willoughby and Erin Leaser, to take the first set, 28-26.
The two teams traded points over the first 14 plays in set two, with Georgia Tech always scoring first, until the score was tied at seven. The Hokies then took the first multi-point lead of the frame, going up 9-7, and never fell behind again. Virginia Tech ran the score up 22-18, and while the Yellow Jackets tried to stay in it, Justine Record silenced them with the final kill of the frame for a 25-22 Hokie win.
Georgia Tech took a decisive advantage in the beginning of the third set, getting out on top 8-4. However, the Hokies then rallied to tie the score at nine then took its first lead of the set, 13-12. The Hokies were off and running, going up 21-18, and though the Yellow Jackets countered with a 3-1 run to make it 22-21, the Hokies finished out the sweep with a second 25-22 victory.
Cara Baarendse led the Hokies’ effort, putting up 15 kills and a .591 attack percentage, adding a block and an assist. Felicia Willoughby shined with 12 kills, six blocks and a .409 hitting percentage, and Justine Record pitched in another 10 kills and five digs. Morgan O’Neill led the defense with 17 digs, and Erin Leaser registered 44 assists, six digs, three kills, two block assists and a service ace. As a team, the Hokies, who led the conference in hitting percentage heading into the night, attacked at a .350 clip while holding the Yellow Jackets to just .210.
Virginia Tech continues its road trip tomorrow evening, when the squad heads to Clemson, S.C., to take on the Tigers in an ACC competition beginning at 6 p.m.
For updates on Virginia Tech volleyball, follow the Hokies on Twitter (@VT_VBall).
