August 30, 2013
Tech takes a 3-0 win over Pacific
Samantha Gostling and Lindsey Owens lead Hokies to win
123F
Pacific (1-1) 2215210
Virginia Tech (2-0) 2525253
  • Cassell Coliseum - 472

BLACKSBURG, Va. – The Virginia Tech volleyball team claimed a win in its second match of the day, downing Pacific 3-0 (25-22, 25-15, 25-21) in the final match during the opening day of the Hokie Invitational.

Senior Samantha Gostling paced the Hokies for the second time today, knocking down 13 kills to go with four digs. Freshman Lindsey Owens notched her first career double-double, racking up 12 kills and 12 digs. Megan Beckwith also chipped in 12 digs of her own. LaTasha Samson-Akpan continued strong blocking in to the night match, recording seven total blocks including three solos.

Virginia Tech and Pacific kept it tight early and were tied at 11 midway through the opening set. The two teams traded points over the next several rallies and were knotted at 16 before Pacific pulled ahead to take a 20-17 advantage. The Hokies responded with a 7-2 run to go on top 24-22. An error by the Tigers gave Tech the point needed to secure the set.

In the second set, Virginia Tech led from the start and took its largest lead at 21-12. Pacific closed to within seven (21-14), but Owens chipped in on three of the Hokies’ final four points needed to take the set and a 2-0 lead in the match.

The Hokies again got out to a quick start, going on top 12-6 in the final frame. Pacific answered with an 8-2 run and tied the set up at 14. The two teams were tied again at 16, but the Hokies went on a 4-0 run of their own to pull ahead 20-16. The Tigers scored four unanswered points as the two teams tied for the sixth time in the set. Virginia Tech went on top 23-21 and used a defensive stop from Gostling and Samson-Akpan to knotch the 24th point. Kathryn Caine knocked down a kill to secure the match-winning point for the Hokies.

Kat Schulz led the way for the Tigers with a double-double, racking up 11 kills on the evening to go with 10 digs. Lexi Elman also tallied 10 digs, while Jessica Diederich grabbed 17 assists to pace Pacific.

Virginia Tech will return to the court on Saturday, August 31 at 12:30 p.m. in Cassell Coliseum when the Hokies face Saint Francis.

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

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