September 1, 2006

Box Score

VT 1, Purdue 3

 

Auburn, Ala. - The Virginia Tech volleyball team dropped their first game of the season to No. 16 Purdue (5-0) in the Auburn/Mizuno Challenge Friday night. The Hokies (3-1) lost the first two games, 18-30 and 22-30, before coming back and winning the third 30-27. The Boilermakers, however, picked up the fourth and final game 30-21.

Sophomore Sarah MuÒoz posted her second double-double of the season for the Hokies with 17 kills and 14 digs. Freshman Taylor Parrish and junior Jen Albrecht followed with 11 and 10 kills, respectively.

Freshman setter Michelle Lang dished out 40 assists, while junior libero Amanda Cloyd picked up 18 digs.

For the Boilermakers, Danita Merlau led the way with a double-double, 14 kills and 11 digs. Carrie Gurnell added 13 kills and Samantha Mader followed with 12.

Kelli Miller pulled up 17 digs to lead the team, while Dildine, Stephanie Lynch, Merlau and Anne Mastandrea each served three aces.

Purdue used tough defense and a varied offensive attack to move past the Hokies.

The Boilermakers opened Game 1 with a 4-1 lead. The Hokies then pulled it within one at 6-5 before dropping 11 of the next 13 points to put Purdue up 10 at 17-7. Due to a string of aces and kills from the Boilermakers, Purdue picked up the win.

Early in Game 2, neither team could gain control, as the score was tied at 4, 5 and 6 before Tech took its first lead of the night at 7-6. The Hokies were unable to hold on, though, as a series of service aces and a 14-4 run of the Boilermakers' put the game out of reach.

Purdue came out strong in Game 3 as well, as the Hokies were down 11-7 before rallying back to tie the score at 14, and again at 26 and 27. Tech then forced three straight hitting errors to give the Hokies the 30-27 win.

Game 4 featured five ties and five lead changes. The Hokies held an advantage at 15-13 before the Boilermakers finished out the match with a 9-4 run.

Tech will return to action tomorrow, to face the host, Auburn, at 12 p.m., and again at 7 p.m., to face Arizona State.