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Date: Sept. 18-19, 2015

Time: Friday vs. Middle Tennessee (7 p.m.), Saturday vs. Chattanooga (10 a.m.), Saturday vs. Liberty (7 p.m.)

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BLACKSBURG – Following a two-week road trip, the Virginia Tech volleyball team returns home, serving as host to the Hokie Invitational on Friday and Saturday on the Carilion Court at Cassell Coliseum. The Hokies (7-2) face Middle Tennessee (2-10) at 7 p.m. on Friday, returning early the next day with Chattanooga (8-2) at 10 a.m. and closing out against Liberty (4-5) at 7 p.m.

Virginia Tech reclaims the home court advantage after a 1-2 outing at the Indiana Invitational last weekend. With head coach Chris Riley at the helm, the Hokies are 99-34 at home. Additionally, Tech has not lost at home since facing ACC foe, Clemson, on Oct. 26, 2014 when the Tigers narrowly edged the Hokies in a 2-3 decision.

Despite the two setbacks last weekend, the Hokies established a new program record at 12 consecutive wins (Nov. 14, 2014-Sept. 5, 2015). Tech volleyball previously won 11-straight matches three times with the last being Sept. 6-Oct. 5, 2008.

The Hokies combined to register five double-doubles throughout Indiana Invitational, totaling 10 for the season compared to six this time last year. Outside hitters Amanda McKinzie and Lindsey Owens recorded three and four, respectively, both sitting in the top three stats lines in the kills, aces, and digs columns. Setters Kyra Coundourides and Rhegan Mitchell tallied one and two double-doubles to complete the Hokies’ 10. Ashley Battle was named to the Indiana Invitational all-tournament team after leading the Hokies in hitting percentage and blocks throughout the Invite.

Scouting the opponents:

Middle Tennessee comes to Blacksburg off of a 3-0 win over UAB on Wednesday night. Prior to the sweep, the Blue Raiders dropped nine-straight matches including a 2-3 decision to Indiana, who also stumped the Hokies. Senior outside hitter Chelsea Ross attacks at a commanding 5.05 kills/set, downing 20 kills in the last match alone. Sophomore setter Brianna Pannone registers a similar clip with 5.95 assists/set.

Chattanooga holds a four-match winning streak after a midweek win over Kennesaw State and a sweep of their home tournament last weekend. Senior libero Catherine Chason was named Scenic City Showdown MVP while sophomore Lauren Greenspoon and senior Sarah Batterton rounded out the all-tournament team. Libero Chason leads the team with 135 digs and nine aces. Setter Greenspoon ranks 30th nationally with 11.12 assists/set. Right-side hitter Batterton averages 3.17 kills/set with an additional 15 blocks.

Liberty continues their three-week road trip before returning home to begin conference play. The Flames come to Blacksburg after dropping five of their last six matches on the road. Liberty’s offensive power is spread through outside hitter/middle blocker Caroline Douglas, outside hitter Gabrielle Vess, and middle blocker Jade Vorester all of whom register above 2.50 kills/set. Anna Willey owns the assist column with 298 sets through the season.

The Series:

Virginia Tech holds a combined 44-7 record over this weekend’s opponents. Tech leads the series with the Blue Raiders, 3-1. The two squads faced off last season in Murfreesboro, Tenn. when the Hokies secured the decisive 3-0 win. Tech holds a perfect 4-0 record over the Mocs who saw each other most recently in 2011 when the Hokies clinched the 3-1 decision. Virginia Tech and Liberty first took the courts in the Hokies’ third season of existence in 1979. Since that point, the squads have played 43 times, with the Hokies victorious 37 of those contests. The two saw each other in 2012 at a neutral match at Virginia with the Hokies coming away with the 3-1 win.

Up Next:

Virginia Tech returns to Cassell Coliseum on Friday, beginning conference play against North Carolina at 7 p.m. The Hokies close out next weekend with NC State at 1 p.m. on Sunday.

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