Hokies set to host Wake Forest, Duke for Homecoming

Tech looks for its first home win of 2017

October 19, 2017

Game Notes

BLACKSBURG – Virginia Tech’s volleyball team will be hosting two matches this Homecoming weekend, taking on Wake Forest on Friday at 6:30 p.m. ET and Duke on Sunday at 1 p.m.

Tech (7-12, 1-7 ACC) will clash against two teams which are also on a losing skid. The Demon Deacons (10-10, 2-6 ACC) carry a five-match losing streak and the Blue Devils (11-8, 3-5 ACC) have fallen four matches in a row.

WEEKEND SCHEDULE
Fri. | 6:30 p.m. ET vs. Wake Forest | Stats | Stream
Sun. | 1 p.m. ET vs. Duke | Stats | Stream

Both of Tech’s two matches will be streamed live on HokieVision Live. You can watch the action on your computer or on your phone via the WatchESPN app.

The last time out, the Hokies went 0-2 in league play to close the fourth week of ACC competition. Tech was defeated on the road by preseason ACC favorite North Carolina in front of an NCAA record crowd (19,246) and NC State, as both matches were in four sets.

Setter Rhegan Mitchell extended her streak of 40-plus assists to four matches, dishing out 43 versus the Tar Heels and her third-most (48) of the season against the Wolfpack. Right side hitter Jaila Tolbert had a night to remember against NC State as the junior pounded down a career-high 22 kills, while chipping in three stuffs at the net.

Freshman Ester Talamazzi turned in consecutive double-doubles, racking up exactly 11 kills and 13 or more digs in both matches. The Italy native has recorded 109 kills in conference play through eight matches.

Tech is fourth in the conference for opponent digs, owning a 12.88 average per set. Mitchell is third among all ACC players in total assists with 710, and libero Carol Raffety is fifth in the league with 272 digs, averaging 3.78 per set.

Friday’s match is Orange Effect night with a couple incentives for Virginia Tech fans. The first 250 fans will receive an orange Virginia Tech Volleyball t-shirt and all fans can participate in a Nike gear raffle.

Sunday’s match is Team Day and all volleyball teams are invited to attend Tech’s annual team day. Teams who register will receive an athletics facility tour, post-match autographs with the Hokies, post-match chalk talk with head coach Jill Wilson and an opportunity for team photos on the Cassell Coliseum floor.

With the Hokies back on their home court, fans can bring multiple items to help out with the players’ Senior Project. The team is partnering with Carilion’s Children Hospital to collect items such as books, toys, games, clothes, toiletries and more.

SCOUTING THE OPPONENTS

WAKE FOREST

• The Demon Deacons enter Week 9 of the season with an even 10-10 overall record and 2-6 reading in conference play. Wake Forest is coming off two losses to the ACC schools from The Sunshine State, after taking on Florida State and Miami (Fla.) this past weekend.

• Head coach Bill Ferguson is in his second year in Winston Salem. Ferguson led the USC Trojans on the men’s side to three NCAA volleyball Final Fours and a pair of runner-up finishes in 2009 and 2012. He was named the American Volleyball Coaches Association National Coach of the Year in 2009 and 2012.

• Senior Kylie Long paces the Demon Deacons with a team-best 251 kills, while averaging 3.44 kills per set. The outside hitter owns the fourth-most kills in the ACC. Setter Madeline Holt has dished out the eighth-most assists in the league with 523.

• The all-time series stands at 31-12 in Virginia Tech’s favor. The Hokies have won four in a row, dating all the way back to 2014. Tech won the last matchup in Blacksburg, 3-0, on Nov. 13, 2016.

DUKE

• The Blue Devils enter the weekend with an 11-8 overall record and are 3-5 in ACC play. Duke, just like Wake Forest, fell to both of the Hurricanes and Seminoles. It pushed Miami (Fla.) to five sets and FSU to four.

• Outside hitters Cadie Bates (232 kills) and Payton Schwantz (226) combine for over 550 kills for the Blue Devils, which is more than 50 percent of the team’s kills. Libero Nicole Elattrache has scooped up the second-most digs in the ACC (297).

• Jolene Nagel, who is the winningest head coach in Duke Volleyball history, is in her 19th year in Durham. Nagel has led the Blue Devils to 12 NCAA Tournament appearances over the past 16 seasons, including an ACC-record seven consecutive trips to the postseason event from 2005-11.

• In 32 meetings, Duke owns the all-time series 28-4. Last year, Duke got the best of Tech, winning 3-0 in Blacksburg on Nov. 11.

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