September 8, 2006

Box Score

VT 3, GW 0

 

BLACKSBURG, Va. - The Virginia Tech Volleyball team broke a three-match losing streak with a 30-25, 30-26, 34-32 sweep over George Washington in the second game of the Hokie Fall Invitational. Freshman Taylor Parrish led the offense with 15 kills and sophomore Sarah MuÒoz knocked down 14.

Junior Amanda Cloyd led the defensive efforts with 13 digs, while junior Rachel Dulla and MuÒoz each chipped in eight. Freshman Michelle Lang dished out 48 assists for the win.

Juliene McLaughlin posted a double-double 18 kills and 13 digs to lead the Colonials in both categories. Maggie Wright added 12 digs, while Kaimana Lee dished out 31 assists.

Tech (4-3) and George Washington (6-1) battled back and forth through all three matches before the Hokies dealt the Colonials their first loss of the season. Both teams traded serves in Game 1 before Tech went on a four point run, putting them up 10-7. The Colonials fought back to tie the score at 10, but were still unable to take the lead.

A kill by senior Katie Esbrook put the Hokies up 13-11 until a GW service ace from Lee tied the game again at 20. Esbrook then broke the final tie with a solo block, leading the Hokies to a 30-25 victory.

The Hokies were unable to gain control of the beginning of Game 2, as Tech never led until after the eighth point. A block by MuÒoz and senior Allie Kupec, a service ace from senior Kendra Sytsma and another block from MuÒoz and Esbrook put the Hokies up 14-10.

George Washington then fought back with kills from Liz Moult and McLaughlin to force ties at 14 and 18, respectively. Tech then went on to score 12 of the last 19 points for the win.

Game 3 featured 15 ties and eight lead changes, with eight of the tie scores coming in the last 11 points of the game.

Tech and GW traded points up until a deadlock at 10. The Hokies then established a slight advantage until a GW kill from Kelly Kabbes tied the game at 24.

A kill by Parrish put the Hokies up for a moment until a service error from Tech and a service ace from GW tied the game at 26. From there, the score was tied at every point until back-to-back kills from Parrish and Kupec gave Tech the two consecutive points they needed to win the game and match.

In other Hokie Invite action, Appalachian State swept Liberty 3-0, with scores of 30-15, 30-18 and 30-24.

Chrissy Finch led Appalachian State with a double-double of 15 kills and 13 digs. Brittany Zahn posted 14 kills and Cassie Engelgau added 14 digs. Lorelle Rau dished out 37 assists and Carla Durham had six blocks.

For Liberty, Mary Alice Pike knocked down 13 kills and Lara Bartolomeo picked up 10 digs. Kallie Corbin had 25 assists.

Tech will return to action tomorrow, Sept. 9, to face Liberty at noon and Appalachian State at 7 p.m. George Washington and Appalachian State will play at 10 a.m., and Liberty and George Washington will play at 5 p.m.