Tweet

Date: Wednesday, Sept. 30

Time: 7 p.m.

Links: Notes / Stats / Video

BLACKSBURG – Facing a quick turnaround as the Hokies opened conference play last weekend, the Virginia Tech Volleyball team takes on Pittsburgh at 7 p.m. on Wednesday in Cassell Coliseum. Closing out a six-match homestretch, the Hokies return to the court with a 10-4 record, 1-1 in the Alantic Coast Conference, while the Panthers travel at 12-2 with a perfect 2-0 mark in the ACC.

Wednesday’s contest is student and military/Corps of Cadets appreciation night. Free sandwiches, cookies, and HokieBird tank tops will be given away. There will also be performances by the Highty-Tighties pep band and Espirit de Corp.

Tech rebounded from a 1-3 decision on Friday night to North Carolina with a 3-1 victory over NC State on Sunday to open ACC play. In her first match serving, senior Kennedy Bryan downed two aces of her four over the weekend, matching her 2013 total. Freshmen Alex Toben and Jaila Tolbert made an impression on the court on Sunday as Toben earned her first collegiate start and Tolbert hit 7-for-11 with two solo blocks.

Outside hitters Amanda McKinzie and Lindsey Owens make a dynamic pair for the Hokies’ offense as McKinzie closes in on 200 kills and Owens with nearly 175. The duo also leads the Hokies in aces and digs with libero Kenedy McGrath in the top spot, collecting 205.

Middle blocker Ashley Battle is closing in on her 2014 total blocks, adding six last weekend to 1.04 blocks per set this season. Cara Cunningham adds 0.98 blocks per set to the Hokies’ 2.16.

Scouting the Panthers:

Following their weekend sweep, the Panthers sit atop the ACC standings with a five-match win streak. Pitt downed NC State, 3-1 on Friday before knocking off reigning ACC champion North Carolina in straight sets on Sunday. The Panthers’ setters Jenna Jacobson and Kamalani Akeo position the squad to second in the NCAA’s assists per set column with 13.09. Kadi Kullerkann leads the team with 164 kills and 49 blocks. Middle hitter Amanda Orchard aids to the cause, attacking at a .463 clip with 110 kills and 58 blocks the season.

The Series:

The Hokies trail the series with the Panthers by one match, 4-5. However, Tech secured two 3-1 victories in 2014. Each team has only been swept once in the series’ 22 year history beginning in 1993.

Up Next:

The Hokies make the short trip to Charlottesville, Virginia on Saturday to take on rival, Virginia at 7 p.m.

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