September 17, 2011
Hokies cruise by Chattanooga, 3-1
Victoria Hamsher and Morgan O'Neill set career-highs
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Chattanooga (1-11) 151725151
Virginia Tech (7-4) 252520253
  • Cassell Coliseum - 313

BLACKSBURG, Va. – Sophomore Victoria Hamsher and junior Morgan O'Neill led the Hokies to a 3-1 (25-15, 25-17, 20-25, 25-15) victory over the University of Tennessee Chattanooga with career-highs 16 kills and 29 digs, respectively, Saturday morning to begin the second day of the Hilton Garden Hokie Invitational at Cassell Coliseum. Tech improved to 7-4 on the season, while the Mocs fell to 1-11.

In addition to her career-high16 kills on a .682 hitting percentage, Hamsher helped put down seven block assists for the first time this season. Senior Erin Leaser led the team setters with 24 assists, while freshman Jordan Fish also put up double-figure assists with 14.

As a team, the Hokies threw down 48 kills for a .225 hitting percentage and 12 total blocks, while holding the Mocs to a .097 clip.

Chattanooga had four players in double-figures. Heather Parman and Jennifer Kuroski recorded 11 and 10 kills, respectively, while Bridget Camacho led all setters with 28 assists. Defensively, Paula Passmore put up 18 digs for the Mocs.

The two teams battled back and forth to eventually tie game one, 8-8. The Hokies went on a 4-1 run, forcing Chattanooga to take its first timeout at 12-9. Tech never looked back as it took the set, 25-15. Hamsher led the Hokies with an impressive six kills on a .625 hitting percentage. O’Neill led both squads defensively putting up 11 digs. As a team, Tech tallied five services aces and four blocks, while holding the Mocs to a -.051 clip.

The Hokies continued the momentum, rushing out to a 6-2 lead with back-to-back kills from Jennifer Wiker, forcing Chattanooga to take its first timeout early. Although, the Mocs recorded the next point, the distraction didn’t phase Tech, as it went on a 6-2 run forcing Chattanooga to take its final timeout at 11-5. The Mocs would come as close as six but it was not enough to catch the Hokies as they took game two, 25-17. Tech continued to be strong at the net as it recorded five total blocks, while being nearly perfect on its attacks with only one error to record a .481 hitting percentage.

In just two sets, Hamsher tied her season-high 10 kills as she was flawless in game two with four kills on five attempts.

The Mocs came out strong in game three as they took an early 6-4 lead. Down 8-12 Tech took its first timeout to try to gain some momentum as Chattanooga recorded two-straight kills. The Hokies recorded three consecutive points off of the Mocs’ mistakes causing Chattanooga to regroup at 13-11. Chattanooga continued strong, going on a 7-2 run to gain a large enough lead to eventually take the set 25-20.

Coming out to a convincing 6-1 lead in game four, the Hokies forced the Mocs to take their first timeout early. Tech continued with the momentum taking the next two points to increase the lead to six. Chattanooga came as close as three, when it recorded two straight points off of a kill and two Hokie errors to make it 15-12, causing Tech to regroup. The Hokies went on a 5-3 run to increase their lead to five and eventually took the set, 25-15, to secure the victory.

Chattanooga and Virginia will match up at 1 p.m. before Tech returns to the court to face Connecticut at 7 p.m. to closeout the Hilton Garden Hokie Invitational.

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

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