October 23, 2011
Hokies come from behind to take down Clemson, 3-2
Three players notch double-doubles
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Clemson (14-8) 22252519112
Virginia Tech (13-9) 25131425153
  • Cassell Coliseum - 367

BLACKSBURG, Va. – For the third consecutive match, the Virginia Tech volleyball team claimed a five-set victory as it topped the Clemson Tigers, 3-2 (25-22, 13-25, 14-25, 25-19, 15-11) at Cassell Coliseum on Sunday afternoon. The win streak matches Tech’s longest of the season as it moves to 13-9 on the year and 6-5 in ACC play, while the Tiger drop to 14-8 overall, 6-5 in conference.

Three Hokies earned double-doubles in the match, as Cara Baarendse led the offense with 13 kills. Her 15 digs along with Justine Record’s 10 kills and 16 digs and Jordan Fish’s 23 assists and 12 digs rounded out the double-double trifecta. This was the first double-double of Fish’s career.

The Tigers also saw three players tally double-doubles as Seret Yaz had 12 kills, and 17 digs and Moneshia Simmons tallied 12 kills and 11 digs. Rounding out the trio was setter Hannah Brenner with 39 assists and 12 digs.

Back-and-forth play began the first set but the Hokies broke an eight-all tie and were able to maintain control for the remainder of the set. Though Tech never extended its lead beyond four points, it did not allow the Tigers to get closer than one as Record eventually closed out the set at 25-22. The Hokies held the kills advantage at 17-9 in the opener, with Baarendse putting down five of the team’s total.

The Tigers entered the second set with a chip on their shoulder. They allowed Tech to keep things close in the beginning rallies but quickly pulled away and never looked back. Stringing together a 6-1 run early on and a 7-1 run towards the end, Clemson took the 25-13 win into the break. Samantha Gostling kept Tech alive offensively in the second set as she threw down five of the team’s nine kills. Clemson tallied 15 kills in the set, hitting at a .364 clip while holding the Hokies to a .000 hitting percentage.

The Hokies were unable to respond in the third set, though they battled in the beginning. Clemson took off from a 7-7 tie and again dominated the Hokies. The Tigers used four straight points to closeout the set, 25-14. Tech was again held to a .000 hitting percentage due much in part to five total blocks from the Tigers. Clemson hit at a .233 clip in the set as both teams recorded 11 kills.

The Hokies refused to back down and finally sparked some momentum in a high-energy fourth set. An ace from Erin Leaser and kill from Baarendse sparked an 8-1 run that also included three consecutive attacking errors by the Tigers. The Hokies flew off from there, eventually claiming a 25-19 win to force the deciding set. Tech regained the kills lead in the fourth, 15-10.

Carrying the high intensity into the final set, two aces from Record and an attacking error on Clemson began the fifth set as Tech looked to be in control early. The Tigers chipped away at the 5-1 lead and eventually tied the set up at seven. The Clemson rally would not waver the Hokies’ drive and energy, though, as they quickly responded with a 6-1 run to distance themselves and seal the match with a 15-11 win. Tech held the Tigers to a .000 hitting percentage in the final set as it also took the kills lead 7-5. Clemson remained in charge at the net in the set getting up for three total blocks while Tech did no record a block.

Jennifer Wiker recorded double-digit kills for the second straight match with 10, while Samantha Gostling also threw down 11 for the Hokies. Libero Morgan O’Neill was one dig away from matching her career high as she scooped up 28 against the Tigers.

Sandra Adeleye rounded out the double-digit kills crew for the Tigers with 12 on the day while Natalie Patzin led the squad with 28 digs. Alexa Rand had a big day at the net as she got up for nine blocks.

The Hokies took the kills lead in the match, 59-50, while Clemson dominated the net game, out-blocking Tech 18-8.

Tech will hit the road this week as it travels to Florida to face a pair of top-25 opponents. The Hokies will touch down in Tallahassee to face Florida State on Friday before heading down to Miami for a Sunday afternoon match.

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

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