Hokies sweep weekend series over Virginia

Monday, November, 26, 2012; 9:33 PM | 30 | | Print

by Matt Jones, Sports editor

Logan Thomas (3) powers toward the endzone for Virginia Tech's second touchdown.

For at least another year, Virginia Tech will have some bragging rights over its neighbors in Charlottesville.

For the second-straight year, the Hokies swept a weekend series over rival Virginia in volleyball, football, and wrestling.

On Friday, the volleyball team honored its senior class of Jennifer Wiker, Liz Trinchere, Morgan O'Neill, and Cara Baarendse before defeating UVa 3-0. The Hokies (16-14, 9-11 ACC) have now topped the Cavaliers in the annual season finale four-straight years.

The marquee matchup of the weekend came on Saturday, when the football team was fighting for bowl eligibility against a porous Virginia squad.

While the game was ugly, the Hokies made enough big plays, and Cody Journell’s field goal as time expired gave the Hokies a 17-14 win.

“We didn’t want to be that team to not make a bowl game and to lose to UVa,” said Antone Exum, cornerback. “We didn’t want that to change. Coming into the game, we knew everything was on the table, and that’s how we performed today.”

Tech quarterback Logan Thomas, who was recruited by the Cavaliers, carried the ball 29 times in the victory.

“We really needed to come together and win just to keep these streaks alive. I’m so proud of the way we played to do so,” Thomas said.

Hokies linebacker Jack Tyler, who finished with nine tackles Saturday, bringing him to a team-high 112 on the season, said the win lets the Hokies keep bragging rights.

“It’s huge for a lot of reasons,” Tyler said. “Obviously coming here, bragging rights, you want to be the best team in Virginia. Most of us are from Virginia and most of us got recruited by Virginia. It’s a great feeling knowing that — nine years in a row — we can keep coming up on top and hopefully keep this streak going. But it’s just joyous. It’s a great moment and it feels good that we have 365 days to brag a little bit.”

On Sunday, the nationally ranked Hokies wrestling squad defeated the 17th-ranked Cavaliers in dual meet action. Tech wrestlers won eight of the 10 matches, including all four matches involving two ranked wrestlers.

“Nationally ranked guys beating nationally ranked guys is why you come to college to wrestle,” said head coach Kevin Dresser. “I tell that to these guys all the time, and that’s what we did. I emphasize it, and say you have to beat the good guys if you want to get famous. That’s what they did today.”

The Hokies won the dual meet 25-6, highlighted by an upset from No. 11 Nick Brascetta over Virginia’s No. 6 Derek Valenti at 149 pounds.

“We see these guys a lot this year, so it’s important to send the message," Brascetta said. "25-6 is a good score for us. I don’t think (the score) surprised any of us.”

Pete Yates, an All-American at 165 pounds last year, won his ranked matchup over No. 9 Nick Sulzer of UVa. The No. 4 Yates fell behind early, but rallied back for a 7-2 win.

“I guess it’s a pretty big rivalry and we would’ve definitely been disappointed if we lost,” Yates said. “I definitely take pride (in beating UVa), but also know that the ACC is what is important and keep doing the right things and move forward.”

Tech, now 3-1 on the season, faces No. 18 Pittsburgh and No. 20 Edinboro this weekend on the road. For at least another year, the three sports can hold bragging rights over the Cavaliers.

“We took it to them this weekend, and we’re 2-0 in a Virginia Tech sweep of volleyball, football, and wrestling,” Dresser said. “We need to get a big maroon broom in here, don’t we?”

A version of this article appeared in the Nov 27 issue of the Collegiate Times.

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