THE FLATS – Georgia Tech volleyball competed in its annual Gold/White scrimmage on Sunday, taking the court for the first live match action of the 2023 season. The Gold squad won the first three sets before the White team claimed the final set, resulting in a 3-1 tally.
The Jackets mixed up rosters for each set, playing through four sets. Seven newcomers made their first appearances in White and Gold, including three transfers in ACC all-freshman honoree Liv Mogridge (ACC), DeAndra Pierce (Texas) and Afedo Manyang (TCU) along with freshmen Larissa Mendes, Heloise Soares, Deren Cukur and Zoe Winford. Joining the newcomers were 13 returners from Tech’s 2022 NCAA tournament squad, including a pair of preseason all-ACC selections in outside hitter Bianca Bertolino and setter Bella D’Amico.
In a back-and-forth first set, Gold managed to come out on top in extra points, 29-27. From there, Gold rode its momentum through the next two sets for back-to-back 25-13 victories in the second and third sets. In the fourth set, the White team picked up a set of its own, finishing with a 25-16 advantage as Gold claimed the match, 3-1.
Representing the newcomers, Mendes shined in her first collegiate competition, leading the first three sets with 12 kills, eight digs, two blocks and no errors. Tech’s top returners also turned in solid performances through three sets as Bertolino compiled 12 kills, nine digs, five aces and three assists while D’Amico orchestrated the Gold offense for 24 assists.