The Virginia Tech volleyball team bounced back from a two game losing streak by beating the Miami Hurricanes in 4 sets - 25-18, 19-25, 25-17, 25-20. The win kept the Hokies (17-5, 8-3 ACC) tied for first place in the conference.
Click here for photos from the match.
The Hurricanes were one of four other teams tied in first in the ACC, and head coach Chris Riley realized the significance of the victory.
"It was a huge win. It's important, with someone you're tied with at the top of the conference," Riley said. "That win was big for us, we needed it."
Sophomore Felicia Willoughby led the way for the Hokies with 17 kills, 4 blocks and a .593 hitting percentage. Junior Taylor Parrish also had 13 kills and 3 blocks for Tech and seemed to be everywhere for the Hokies, particularly when the game was on the line.
Coming off consecutive losses, the players looked to this game to get back on track.
"We were trying to get that fire back," Parrish said. "We had it in our eyes, we knew we were going to win, even when it got close."
The Hokies came out of the blocks well, winning the first set 25-18. Tech would hold on to the lead the entire set after a 6-2 start and Miami would only able to tie the score at 11. But after a Willoughby kill to put Tech up one, the Hokies cruised to a victory. Willoughby led the Hokies with five kills and a .444 hitting percentage.
Kristen Cunningham subbed in late for Tech and created an immediate spark, providing three late, critical kills. Parrish also contributed for Tech with four kills and a .300 hitting percentage.
The second set, however, was an exact opposite of the first. This time it was Miami who jumped out to an early lead and never looked back, winning 25-19. Miami's offense was nearly unstoppable with a .458 hitting percentage. Miami's freshman star Lane Carico opened a lead up for the Hurricane's with three service aces.
Even though they lost the set, Tech's offense continued to be look sharp, with a .314 hitting percentage and 15 kills. Despite a late Hokie run, the defense couldn't contain Miami's attack. Willoughby continued her stellar play with six kills and a .1000 hitting percentage in the set.
Tech's offense continued to be effective in the third set, but it was the defensive play which helped the Hokies win 25-17. Tech held Miami to only a .114 hitting percentage, while hitting a .471 percentage themselves.
The set was close most of the way, with 8 ties and 4 lead changes. But after Miami took a 15-13 lead, a Willoughby kill started a 12-2 Hokie run. With the score tied 16-16, Parrish delivered a blistering spike to give Tech a lead they would hold on to.
Parrish had five kills in the set, as did freshman Justine Record, who also had a perfect hitting percentage.
The final set was back and forth and included long streaks for both teams. After Tech led 8-4, the Hurricanes went on a 12-1 run to put Miami on top 16-9. However the Hokies weren't going to go away quietly and led by Willoughby and Parrish, along with a raucous crowd, the Hokies finished the set with a 16-4 run for the win.
Willoughby was again great for Tech, finishing with four kills. Despite entering the set late once again, Cunningham left her imprint as she delivered an inspired kill to make the score 24-20 and end any Miami comeback.
After struggling in the past few games, Erin Leaser bounced back in a big way, finishing with 48 assists. The team counted on Leaser to get the offense back on track.
"I think Erin was better," Riley said, "She was more consistent, and I think our ball control was better."
Tech returns to action next weekend as they travel to Georgia Tech and Clemson, both of whom are at the top of the ACC standings with the Hokies.