HUNTINGTON, W.Va.- The Virginia Tech volleyball team closed out the Marshall University Tournament in Huntington, W. Va. on a high note Saturday evening, defeating East Tennessee State 3-0 (25-20, 25-14, 25-12).

The Hokies (4-2, 0-0 ACC) went 1-2 in their three matches over the weekend, but saved their best performance for last. Tech jumped on the Buccaneers (2-4, 0-0 Atlantic Sun) quickly, pulling out to a 14-7 lead in set one. The advantage eventually got pushed to 19-10, but the Hokies had to hold off a rally from ETSU to win the opening frame 25-20.

Using the momentum from the first stanza, Tech cruised to victory in the next two sets. Already leading by four points in the second frame, the Hokies went on a 9-2 scoring run the end the set 25-14. Any life the Buccaneers had left, Tech extinguished, jumping out to a 10-1 advantage in the third set. The Hokies used the early spurt to take the final set, 25-12, and the match.

“We put ourselves in a good position to win,” head coach Chris Riley said. “We played two good teams in our first two matches and made strides in solidifying our starting lineup. We are looking forward to good competition next weekend, and continuing to move forward.”

Freshman Justine Record played the best match of her young career, hitting at a .409 clip and earning 13 kills. Senior Kristen Cunningham tallied seven kills on nine attacks, and sophomore Felicia Willoughby added six more. Junior Betsy Horowitz led the team with five blocks, and Erin Leaser had 28 assists. Tech hit .406 as a team.

Earlier in the day, Tech battled a strong Western Kentucky squad for five sets before eventually succumbing in the fifth stanza, 15-11. The Hokies fell behind in the match, two sets to one, but never gave up. Tech captured the next two sets 25-20, but could not finish the comeback in the fifth stanza. Willoughby and Horowitz both had 11 kills, and Record added 10 in the effort. The Hokies lost to host Marshall, 3-2, in their opening match of the tournament Friday night.

Tech continues on the road next weekend for the Arkansas Tournament in Fayetteville, Ark. The Hokies will face Tennessee-Martin, Lamar and Arkansas in their three matches out west.