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	1	2	3	4	F
Virginia (6-4)	18	21	25	15	1
Virginia Tech (6-4)	25	25	22	25	3
Cassell Coliseum - 650 Box Score Photo Gallery

BLACKSBURG, Va. – The Virginia Tech volleyball team kicked off conference play with a big, 3-1 victory over in-state rival Virginia on Friday evening as part of the Hilton Garden Hokie Invitational at Cassell Coliseum. Three Tech players tallied double-digit kills in the match, while junior Cara Baarendse earned her first double-double of the season with a team-best 13 kills and 16 digs.

Tech (6-4, 1-0 ACC) got out to an early 6-2 lead in the opening set and quickly extended the difference to 14-8, forcing the Cavaliers (6-4, 0-1 ACC) to burn both of their timeouts early on. Despite any effort from Virginia, the Hokies were able to keep a comfortable distance and sealed the set at 25-18 with a big kill from sophomore Samantha Gostling. Tech dominated the ‘Hoos in the set, taking an 18-9 kills advantage to begin the evening. Baarendse and Gostling combined for nine kills in the set.

Senior Erin Leaser tallied three consecutive assists early in the set and eventually tacked on the five more she needed to claim sole possession of third place in Tech’s all-time record books, surpassing the 4,007 mark.

Virginia set the tone early on in the second set as it jumped out to a 4-1 advantage and kept the lead until the Hokies were able to tie things up at nine apiece. The Cavaliers would not hand over the lead that easy and Tech was unable to gain it until breaking a 17-17 tie with a kill from Baarendse.

The advantage remained in Tech’s favor through the closing points of the second set. Virginia fought back but could never manage to regain the lead, getting only as close as a point on numerous occasions. Tech took the set 25-21, as well as the slight 15-14 kills edge. The Cavaliers were a presence at the net in the second set, tallying 4.5 total blocks while Tech had just one.

The Hokies came out slow from break before the third set but turned things around early on. After both teams took turns leading, Tech took off from a 9-9 tie and kept the lead for the majority of the remaining points. The ‘Hoos rallied back to make it 19-16, which forced a Tech timeout and eventually tied things up at 21. The Hokies were unable to steal back the momentum, allowing Virginia to take the third set 25-22. The Cavaliers hit at a .208 clip and held Tech to just a .087 hitting percentage in the third set.

Tech took a commanding stand in the opening moments of the fourth set and despite going down early; it rallied to take an 8-3 lead and never looked back. Things got shaky for the Hokies after senior Justine Record went down with a cramp and they were forced to call a timeout and regroup. Tech regained its early momentum and took off to eventually claim a 25-15 win and it’s first conference victory of the season.

Record, along with sophomore Victoria Hamsher tallied 10 kills each in the match, while Hamsher and freshman Kathryn Caine led Tech at the net with four total blocks apiece.

The Cavaliers were led by Rachel Clark, who also had a double-double in the match with 11 kills and 14 digs. Simone Asque tallied 10 kills on the evening and Jessica O’Shoney dominated the net with eight blocks in the match.

The Hokies have a quick turnaround as they return to action tomorrow morning at 11 a.m to take on Chattanooga before a 7 p.m. match against Connecticut to close out the Hilton Garden Hokie Invitation and non-conference play.

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