November 13, 2015
Tech falls to NC State, 3-0
Jaila Tolbert and Amanda McKinzie record double-digit kills.
123F
Virginia Tech (15-12) 2522260
NC State (15-12) 2725283
  • Carmichael Gym - 452

RALEIGH, N.C. - Despite Jaila Tolbert’s record setting night, the Virginia Tech volleyball team came up short in three sets to NC State on Friday night. The squads hold 15-12 overall records while Hokies dip to 6-9 in the Atlantic Coast Conference and the Wolfpack improve to 4-11 in conference.

Freshman Jaila Tolbert quickly set a new career high of 13 kills to lead the Hokies’ offense. Amanda McKinzie slugged 10 more, while Lindsey Owens added six. Kyra Coundourides and Rhegan Mitchell steadied Tech with 23 and 16 assists, respectively. Ashley Battle tallied two solo blocks and three block assists. Fellow middle Cara Cunningham added four blocks to out-block the Wolfpack, 15-8.

Juila Brown and Blayke Hranicka led the Wolfpack offense with 15 and 11 kills, respectively. Maggie Speaks was NC State’s way to victory as the setter recorded a double-double of 42 assists and 13 digs, matching libero Rachel Eppley’s tally. Despite the Hokies’ 46 digs led by Kenedy McGrath’s 11, the Wolfpack found the floor to come up with the win.

The Hokies jumped to a two-point lead to start off the match but the Wolfpack evened up the set score at 11-all. The two battled through 13 tie scores in the frame with three lead changes, including a 23-21 lead that forced NC State to take their second timeout. Despite Tolbert’s 6-for-9 attack, Tech fell short in the opening set, 25-27.

NC State took an early lead but Tech fought back to four additional tie-scores and two lead changes in the frame. Tolbert added five kills to her first set total to eclipse her previous career high of 10 set versus Georgia Tech in October. The Hokies fought to keep the set within three, but could not overcome the Wolfpack’s Hranicka who downed six kills in the frame in the 25-22 win.

Mimicking the second set, the Wolfpack jumped to an early lead. However, Battle put the Hokies back on track with back-to-back kills and blocks giving Tech a 15-13 advantage. Tech maintained the two-point lead to the set point, but ultimately, fell shy in the final set, 26-28.

The Hokies face a quick turnaround, taking on No. 25 North Carolina tomorrow at 7:30 p.m.

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

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