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Date: Sept. 4-5, 2015

Time: Friday vs. Miami (OH) (10 a.m.), Friday at No. 19 Michigan State (7 p.m.), Saturday vs. Butler (2:30 p.m.)

Match Notes

Tournament Central

BLACKSBURG – After a 3-0 sweep to start the season, the Virginia Tech volleyball team begins their first road trip of 2015 at the Auto-Owners Insurance Spartan Invitational. Tech will take on Miami (1-3), Butler (1-2), and host No. 19 Michigan State (2-1) over the two-day tournament.

The Hokies blanked each of their three opponents during last weekend’s Radford/Virginia Tech Invitational. Tech attacked at a .343 rate through the three matches – second highest in the ACC. Tech tallied 17 service aces– a mark that took seven to reach in 2014.

After a strong showing, head coach Chris Riley is eager put his lineup in some tougher waters.

“We have a lot of kids that have played a lot and are comfortable in that role,” Riley said. “I never thought we stress in that point. We play every point. It’ll be good to see how we react over more stressful situations.”

Veterans Amanda McKinzie and Lindsey Owens led the squad in kills but freshman Jaila Tolbert and transfer Cara Cunningham made their mark in attack percentage and blocks. Three of the Hokies new additions saw the court last weekend.

“We have a tall task in front of us this weekend. I think we’re looking forward to that challenge and looking to be able to match up against some good teams.”

Scouting the Opponents:

Miami is coming of a mid-week 3-0 sweep over Wright State with Katie Tomasic, Jenny Ingle and Maris Below each tallying nine kills. The Redhawks opened 2015 at the Illini Classic, going 0-3 against Creighton, No. 8 Illinois, and Louisville. Rightside hitter Katie Tomasic tops the stats with 31 kills, attacking at a.259 clip, and five service aces. Libero Maeve McDonald totals 69 digs. Setters Mackenzie Zielinski and Krista Brakauskas notched 67 and 76 assists respectively.

No. 19 Michigan State holds onto the 19th position in the AVCA for the second straight week following a 2-1 opening weekend at the Kentucky Bluegrass Invitational. The Spartans dropped the first match to No. 15 Kentucky, 3-2, but bounced back sweeping both Arkansas-Little Rock (RV) and IUPUI. Alyssah Fitterer and Alyssa Garvelink earned all-tournament team honors. Middle blocker/opposite hitter Allyssah Fitterer leads the Spartans with 48 kills, a .440 attack percentage, and 24 digs. Setter Rachel Minarick collected 138 assists. Libero Kristen Muir tallied 51 digs.

Butler began its 2015 campaign at the Rumble in the Rockies, coming away with a 1-2 record over South Dakota but falling to Ohio State and host, Wyoming. Jessica Admire was named to the all-tournament team. The Bulldogs’ squad carries nine freshmen, five sophomores, one junior, and two seniors, making it the youngest in the tournament. Three freshmen lead the Bulldogs: middle blocker/outside hitter Anna Logan wth 27 kills, outside hitter Jessica Admire with 24 kills, and middle blocker Briana Lilly with 21 kills. Setter Makayla Ferguson collected 84 assists while libero Meghan Cotant recorded 39 digs.

Tech vs. the Field:

The Hokies hold a combined 3-2 record over this weekend’s opponents in the Spartan Invite. Tech owns a 3-0 record over Miami, with the most recent win in 2005, 3-2. The Spartans lead the Hokies 1-0 overall following a 3-2 loss in 2013. Tech with face Butler for the second time, following a 3-1 loss in 2014’s season opener.

Up Next:

Virginia Tech concludes their road trip at the Indiana Invitational, taking on Northern Arizona, Bowling Green, and host Indiana over the Sept. 11-12 weekend.

For updates on Virginia Tech volleyball, follow the Hokies on Twitter Follow @VT_VBall and on Instagram @vthokievolleyball