Radford spoils Hokies' home opener

Tech will be back tomorrow against ETSU

September 15, 2017

	1	2	3	F
Radford (10-1)	25	25	25	3
Virginia Tech (6-4)	16	23	20	0
Cassell Coliseum - 873 Box Score Photo Gallery

Box Score (PDF)

BLACKSBURG – In front of its home crowd for the first time this fall, Virginia Tech Volleyball was defeated by Radford, 3-0, in the Hokie Invitational sponsored by the Fairfield Inn and Suites in Christiansburg at the Carilion Clinic Court at Cassell Coliseum Friday evening.

Hokie Nation showed out with an attendance number of 873, which was the most for a home opener since 2012.

Tech (6-4) played solid defense once again, holding the Highlanders (10-1) to a .158 hitting percentage. It marks the the fifth time this year that the Hokies have held an opponent to hitting under .200.

Knotted at 9-9 out of the gate in the first set, Radford scored three-straight points, forcing a Tech timeout. Tech rebounded cutting the deficit to two points, 15-13, however, the Highlanders would not relinquish the lead as they went on 10-3 run to claim set one.

Starting off strong, the Hokies jumped out to a 12-5 lead after a kill by Ester Talamazzi, who tallied a team-high seven kills. The two squads would trade points until Radford reeled off a push at Tech’s lead, tying it at 18-all. The Highlanders would keep their momentum, edging Tech 25-23 in the middle set.

The third frame, similar to set one, began with the score tied at 10-10. Another run from Radford, making it 19-14, was too much to overcome for the Hokies as they dropped the final set, 25-20.

NOTES

- Sophomore Melody Caloyannides came in the third set, which was her first match of the year. The outside hitter turned in one dig on the night.

- Libero Carol Raffety registered a season-high 18 digs, including eight alone in the second set. The 18-dig feat marks the most the California native has posted since Tech’s last home game, a 3-0 win over Wake Forest on Nov. 13, 2016.

- Redshirt senior Stacey Christy stopped a team-high four attacks, marking the the third match this season the 6’2” middle blocker led the team in blocks.

- Right side hitter Kelly Esch earned a start tonight, it was her first of the season and 10^th of her career in Blacksburg.

STAT OF THE MATCH

- Despite the loss, Tech still owns an impressive overall record for home openers. The Hokies hold a 34-7 reading for their first match on their home court.

TWEET OF THE DAY

VT women's volleyball!!!
Bump, Set, Smash!!!@VT_VBall #GoHokies pic.twitter.com/uDF6EJB1aR

— Matt Winston (@VTMattWins) September 15, 2017

WHAT IS NEXT

The Hokies will conclude their non-conference slate hosting East Tennessee State at 2 p.m. ET tomorrow to close the three-team tournament.

For updates on Virginia Tech volleyball, follow the Hokies on Twitter Follow @VT_VBall and on Instagram @vthokievolleyball