September 23, 2012
Hokies sweep Miami, 3-0
Tech defense strong in win

BLACKSBURG, Va. – The Virginia Tech volleyball team held Miami to a .181 hitting percentage as the Hokies swept the Hurricanes, 3-0 (25-22, 25-22, 25-22) on Sunday afternoon in ACC action at Cassell Coliseum.

Samantha Gostling led the Hokies (9-4, 2-1 ACC) with 11 kills. Cara Baarendse added 10 kills, hitting .500 on the attack off 18 attempts with just one error. Baarendse also tallied five blocks. Jennifer Wiker and Kathryn Caine tallied eight kills each. Jordan Fish put up 38 assists. On the defensive side, Morgan O’Neill had 13 digs while Kenedy McGrath tallied 12.

Alex Johnson paced the Hurricanes (10-3, 2-1 ACC) with 12 kills. Savanah Leaf added 10. Caitilin Donahoe notched 19 assists and Ryan Shaffer had 11 digs.

Tech got out to a quick start in the opening set, taking an 11-6 lead to force a Miami timeout. The Hurricanes responded to tie the set at 12. The two teams traded points over the next few rallies and were tied at 15 before the Hokies opened the scoring to take a 21-16 lead. Miami closed the gap to two at 24-22, but a misstep by Miami gave Tech the point for the 25-22 win.

In the second set, the Hokies again got out to the lead, going on top 12-7. Tech took its largest lead of the set at 24-15, but the Hurricanes looked to make a late run as Miami scored seven unanswered points to close the gap to 24-22 and force a Tech timeout. Coming out of the timeout, Gostling knocked down a kill for the point to take the set 25-22 and a 2-0 lead in the match.

Miami came out strong in the third set, taking an early 6-1 lead, but the Hokies responded to pull within one at 9-8. The Hurricanes maintained the lead until Tech tied the set at 16. The two teams were tied again at 17, but the Hokies blocked three straight attacks by the Hurricanes to pull ahead, 20-17. Tech and Miami traded points over the next several rallies as the Hokies led 24-22. The Hokies took the point needed off a Wiker attack as they claimed the 25-22 win and a three set sweep.

Tech recorded 10 team blocks and held the Hurricanes to a hit percentage of .181. The Hokies hit .256 on the attack. This marks the first win for the Hokies against the 'Canes since the 2009 season.

The Hokies will be back on the road next weekend, traveling to Maryland on Friday, Sept. 28 for a 7 p.m. match. Tech will remain on the road for a noon match at Boston College on Sunday, Sept. 30.

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

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