nc state sweeps virginia tech in three sets

Joey Robertson

October 30, 2020

RALEIGH, N.C. – In the first meeting of the two-match series versus the NC State Wolfpack, Virginia Tech was swept 3-0 on Thursday night.

In the first set, the Hokies played a close game all around. It was a back and forth affair from the first serve and the two teams were tied at 18 nearing the end of the set. With the score tied at 26, the Wolfpack pushed through, winning the set 28-26.

The second set was the complete opposite of the first set. It was all Wolfpack as they jumped out to an early 6-0 lead. Though the Hokies tried to mount a comeback, pulling within five points at 19-15, NC State never trailed. The Wolfpack proved to be too much for Virginia Tech as they went on a 3-0 run to win 25-18 in set two.

Just like the second set, the Wolfpack jumped out to an early 13-7 lead. Using stellar offensive play from senior opposite hitter Melissa Evans, NC State put the nail in the coffin thanks to a 10-0 run. The Wolfpack sealed the match, taking the third set 25-14.

The offensive players of the game were NC State’s Melissa Evans, Jade Parchment and Kristen McDaniel. Evans and Parchment each recorded 16 kills for the Wolfpack, a match-high.

The two also added to their performance in other categories - Parchment recorded seven digs and two blocks while Evans stuffed the stat sheet with eight digs and two blocks.

Kristen McDaniel also helped propel the Wolfpack’s offense as she tallied her fifth double-double of the season and used her serving skills to fuel the 10-0 run in the third set. McDaniel totaled a whopping 32 assists.

For the Hokies, outside hitter Kaity Smith tallied seven kills, which moves her into sole possession of fifteenth place a--time in kills at Virginia Tech.

Despite the loss, Tech still had solid offensive performances from outside hitter Ashley Homan, middle blocker Marisa Cerchio and setter Talyn Jackson. Homan and Cerchio both tallied seven kills while Jackson dished out 10 assists.

The Hokies drop to 5-3 on the season while the Wolfpack improve to 3-4. Virginia Tech is now on a two-match losing streak after dropping last Sunday’s match to the Duke Blue Devils.

Meanwhile, the Wolfpack are on a three-match winning streak after winning Thursday night.

The two teams will be back in action on Friday night at 5 p.m. on ACC Network as they square off for the second match in the series.