Oct. 21, 2011
BLACKSBURG, Va. – The Georgia Tech volleyball team started its weekend by dropping a close five-set match on the road at Virginia Tech at Cassell Coliseum in front of a crowd of 612. The Yellow Jackets (11-9, 4-6 ACC) were led by Monique Mead who netted 24 kills on the night.
“I’m disappointed in our finish tonight after heading into set five with the momentum,” said head coach Tonya Johnson. “It just goes to show you that this game is all about momentum and when you have it you have to be able to keep it on your side for longer periods of time.”
Monique Mead reached the 20 kill plateau for the ninth time this season and netted her seventh double-double of the season with her 24 kills and 15 digs on the night.
Kaleigh Colson dished out 41 assists on the night also tallying seven kills and five blocks while Ivona Kolak was second on the team with 11 kills.
The Hokies (12-9, 5-5) had three players tally double digit kills on the night as Jennifer Wiker and Justine Record both had 10 and Cara Baarendse netted 17. Record’s 10 kills were one half of a double-double as she also made 14 digs on the night.
The Jackets earned a close 25-23 victory in set one while Mead notched seven of her 24 kills. Set two went to the Hokies, 25-20. Despite Mead’s six kills, Virginia Tech’s had a balanced attack with six different players notching at least one kill and three getting four kills during the set.
Virginia Tech continued their success into the set number three gaining a 2-1 match advantage with a 25-17 victory, but the Jackets took over the match in set four downing the Hokies 25-11. Georgia Tech capitalized on four receiving errors and lack of blocking by the Hokies to even the match up at two-all.
But the Hokies rallied off six-straight points behind the serving of Baarendse and gained an advantage the Jackets couldn’t erase.
Tech will look to bounce back as they continue on the road in the state of Virginia when they head to Charlottesville, to take on the Cavaliers in a 7 p.m. in a Saturday night meeting.
