hokies close out season in 3-0 loss to nc state

Kyler Hatke

October 30, 2020

RALEIGH, N.C. - On Friday night, Virginia Tech fell to NC State in three sets in the Hokies' final game of the regular season.

During set one, the Hokies lost 25-15 as NC State dominated. The Wolfpack racked up three service aces and just one error, while Tech had four service errors and no aces. NC State’s domination was led by junior outside hitter Jade Parchment, who recorded four kills in set one.

Set two showed how much NC State relies on their serving as four service errors allowed the Hokies to stay alive in the set. The service errors troubled the Wolfpack, but the Hokies bailed them out with eight attacking errors. NC State won the set 25-19 behind seven kills from Parchment, who had double-digit kills after two sets and finished with 14.

In set three, the Hokies tallied more errors than kills and the Wolfpack hopped out to a 17-6 lead. NC State closed out the set behind senior opposite hitter Melissa Evans, who recorded two kills and an ace to win the set 25-10 and the match 3-0.

The Hokies struggled, recording almost as many errors (21) as kills (24). Virginia Tech didn’t receive any help from its usual playmakers either - graduate student outside hitters Kaity Smith and Ashley Homan both finished with negative hit percentages.

One bright spot for the Hokies was Marisa Cerchio, who finished with seven kills and just one error.

Though Virginia Tech didn’t end the season on a good note, the Hokies finished the Marci Byers’ inaugural season with a 5-4 record.

STAT LEADERS

Virginia Tech:

• Marisa Cerchio – 7 Kills , 1 Error,

• Sara Jane Lynch – 12 Assists, 2 Aces

NC State:

• Jade Parchment – 14 Kills, 4 Errors, 2 Aces

• Melissa Evans – 9 Kills, 1 Error, 3 Assists, 2 Aces

• Kristen McDaniel – 3 Kills, 26 Assists