THE FLATS – In front of a capacity crowd in O’Keefe, Georgia Tech volleyball (8-4) opened Atlantic Coast Conference action with a 3-1 victory over Syracuse (3-5) on Friday night. Kicking off conference play at home for the first time in the Collier era, the Jackets made a statement, hitting at a season-high clip of .383 for the match to remain a perfect 6-0 in O’Keefe this season.
Photos: Tech Opens ACC Play with Win Over Orange
Danny Karnik
How it happened:
The Jackets took the early lead, using back-to-back service aces from sophomore Kayla Kaiser to lead 4-1. Tech would hold the lead for the rest of the set, inciting the Orange to call a timeout after an attack error put the Jackets ahead 11-6. Tech kept at it, holding a comfortable lead and taking the first set at 25-17 on a kill from sophomore Mariana Brambilla.
With the set tied at 9-9 in the second, the Jackets went on a 10-0 run with Kaiser at the service line to take a commanding lead at 20-9. The Louisville native received a standing ovation from the capacity crowd at the end of her serve. Tech easily cruised to a 25-10 win of the second on a kill from Brambilla to lead 2-0.
The Orange bounced back in the third, taking a 12-6 lead over the Jackets and Tech signaled timeout. Syracuse stayed ahead and the Jackets called their second timeout with a 16-9 deficit. The White and Gold battled back, making a 4-0 run to trail 23-17 and the Orange called timeout. Syracuse tallied the next two points to pocket the third set at 25-17 and bring the score to 2-1.
The Jackets took control of the fourth set early, utilizing back-to-back kills from senior Kodie Comby to lead 7-2 and the Orange called a timeout. The Orange closed the gap to three at 9-6 and the Jackets called a timeout of their own. A 5-0 run put Tech back up 14-7 and Syracuse burned its second timeout. The White and Gold kept the set out of reach, taking the set at 25-12 for the 3-1 victory.
Up next:
The Jackets make their ACC Network debut on Sunday, Sept. 29 when they host Boston College for a noon contest.
Tech Tidbits:
- Sophomore Mikaila Dowd led the Jackets in kills with 14.
- Dowd hit at a career-best clip of .619.
- Kaiser recorded a career-best three block assists.
- Tech opened conference play at O’Keefe for the first time in the Collier era.
ACC Network has launched!
The ACC Network is a linear and digital platform dedicated to 24/7 coverage of ACC sports that launched on Aug. 22, 2019. It will exclusively televise approximately 450 live events each year, including 40 football games as well as 150 men’s and women’s basketball contests.
Don’t get shut out! For more information and to learn if your cable/satellite/digital provider is carrying the ACC Network, visit GetACCN.com. Georgia Tech fans whose cable/satellite/digital providers aren’t carrying the ACC Network are urged to contact their providers and ask for the ACC Network to be a part of their subscription.
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