1 | 2 | 3 | F | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Virginia Tech (15-13) | 18 | 25 | 20 | 0 |
(25) North Carolina (17-8) | 25 | 27 | 25 | 3 |
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CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - The Virginia Tech volleyball team battled through long rallies and an extended second set, but ultimately dropped a three-set decision to No. 25 North Carolina on Saturday night.
The Hokies dip to 15-13 overall and a 6-10 mark in the Atlantic Coast Conference. The Tar Heels maintain their second place position in the ACC with a 14-2 record, 17-8 overall.
Setter Kyra Coundourides steadied the Hokies throughout the match, recording a double-double with 14 assists and 10 digs. Fellow setter Rhegan Mitchell added 21 assists. Kennedy Bryan led the Hokies' offense, slugging 10 kills. The senior attacked at a .435 rate while Ashley Battle hit a .500 clip with six kills. Outside hitters Amanda McKinzie and Lindsey Owens slugged nine and eight kills for the squad.
North Carolina’s Victoria McPherson, Taylor Treacy, and Taylor Leath registered double-figure kills. The Tar Heels’ defense was lead by Sheila Doyle who collected 26 digs in the three sets. Despite Owens team-best of 17 digs and Kenedy McGrath’s 14, the Tar Heels found the floor to secure the victory.
The Hokies came up victorious in the long rally to open the match, earning the first point of the frame. McKinzie and Jaila Tolbert paced Tech through many long rallies, tallying three kills apiece in the set. However, North Carolina came up with the 25-18 decision.
Tech showed its fight in the second set as kills by Cara Cunningham and Owens leveled the set early. Owens swatted three of her six kills consecutively, trimming the Tar Heels' six-point lead. Mirroring the start of the set, Cunningham and Owens connected for a block to give the Hokies their first lead at 22-21. The squads battled through five tie scores to the 25th point, until North Carolina took the win, 27-25.
The Hokies started off strong in the third frame with McKinzie slugging three straight kills to open the frame. Tech took an 8-7 lead early on following a McKinzie ace. However, the Tar Heels escaped to a four-point lead and held on to the final point, securing the 25-20 count.
Tech returns to Blacksburg after a two-week road trip, serving as host to Syracuse Friday at 8 p.m. and Boston College Sunday at 1 p.m.
For updates on Virginia Tech volleyball, follow the Hokies on Twitter Follow @VT_VBall and on Instagram @vthokievolleyball