hokies look to move on from 3-0 loss to georgia tech

Ryan Duvall

Contributing Writer

September 26, 2021

BLACKSBURG — Sunday was about as nice of a fall day you could get. Sunny, mid 60’s, with a slight breeze. Entering Cassell Coliseum almost didn’t bring the same feeling it does on a frigid winter day.

However, upon walking into the arena, the stage was set for a showdown between Virginia Tech and No. 18 Georgia Tech.

Warm-ups were electric, with players on both sides of the net spiking, setting, and hyping up their teammates.

And things started out relatively well for the Hokies. Early on in the first set Virginia Tech led 9-3, after numerous kills from senior Angel Robinson, and graduate student Griere Hughes.

But, a timeout from Georgia Tech head coach Michelle Collier sparked a run that would last the rest of the way. The Yellow Jackets came back to win set one 25-17, showing the fans in Blacksburg early why they were one of the top teams in the country.

Both squads battled back and forth in a tight series in the second set. A challenge from the Hokies’ coaching staff that was overturned in their favor, and it seemed to energize VT, leading to an early 7-7 tie.

Georgia Tech quickly overcame it though, asserting its dominance by taking both the second and third sets, winning the match. It was the Yellow Jackets seventh straight win and more impressively their fourth straight sweep, giving them 12 straight set wins.

In Sunday’s match, the Yellow Jackets were led by a trio of players with double digit kills: Mariana Brambilla (16), Julia Bergmann (13), and Bianca Bertolino (11). Additionally, senior setter Matti Mckissock recorded a game-high 41 assists.

While Georgia Tech appears to be an ACC powerhouse, the hometown Hokies are looking to string a few bounce back wins together in order to get back near the top of the conference standings.

Virginia Tech is off to an 0-2 start in conference play, holding a 9-5 record overall. Its next four opponents will all be on the road, so maybe a change of scenery can help the Hokies turn it around.

The road trip starts this Friday, Oct. 1, when Tech heads to Chestnut Hill to take on Boston College. Gametime is at 8:00 p.m.