virginia tech falls to no. 18 pittsburgh

Duncan Weigand

April 3, 2021

CLEMSON, S.C. - Virginia Tech took on No. 18 ranked Pittsburgh as the Hokies looked to claim their first win since they defeated Syracuse nearly two weeks ago. Tech, though, was unable to complete the task at hand, losing to the Panthers in three sets at a nuetral venue in South Carolina.

Heading into Friday's match, Pitt boasted an 11-game win streak. Pitt only lost five total sets while on its impressive 11 game run.

Early in the first set, both teams traded points back and forth, no team was able to pull away easily.

Pittsburgh led 9-6 when the tide started to turn in the Panthers’ favor. The Hokies committed 4 errors in a row and everything fell apart for Tech. Pittsburgh capitalized off of VT’s miscues and controlled the rest of the first set, 25-11.

In the second set, the Hokies put themselves in the hole early with an abundance of attack and team errors. The Panthers took advantage and quickly went up 15-9. Virginia Tech gave Pitt a scare with a late rally but the Hokies came up short and fell 25-18.

The third set was a must win for Virginia Tech, who has found itself in the same situation many times this season. The set was easily the Hokies most competitive set of the whole game.

Tech were able to grab an early set lead, 5-3. However, the Panthers went on a string of late runs, winning the third set, 25-21, and swept the Hokies.

On the day, Virginia Tech had 18 attack errors and seven set errors. Outside hitter Ashley Homan had a team-leading eight kills. The graduate student also recorded two solo blocks. Middle blocker/Outside hitter Marisa Cerchio also recorded an impressive six kills.

Pitt’s Ndee Chinaza recorded a team-leading 14 kills and only four errors.

Pittsburgh finishes the season with an impressive 16-4 record and 14-4 in conference play.

Virginia Tech falls to 6-10 and 5-10 in conference play. Tech plays its final game of the season against Clemson in South Carolina on Saturday.