THE FLATS – No. 8 seed Georgia Tech volleyball swept WKU (25-21, 25-18, 25-23) in the second round of the NCAA tournament on Saturday night in O’Keefe Gymnasium, advancing to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2004 and third time in program history. The sweep marked Tech’s 15th of the season and second straight in as many matches in this season’s NCAA tournament, also snapping a 21-match win streak for the Hilltoppers. The Yellow Jackets are now 12-10 all-time in NCAA tournament matches.
Tech (25-5, 14-4 ACC) outmatched WKU (28-2, 12-0 C-USA) in every facet on paper, leading the Toppers in kills (50-38), hitting percentage (.353-.380), assists (48-34), aces (5-2), digs (40-34) and total blocks (9-5).
Senior setter Matti McKissock highlighted the night with yet another milestone in her decorated career by surpassing 4,000 career assists as she’s up to 4,019 to date. The lauded Jacket orchestrated Tech’s attack with 36 assists on the night, also earning a double double with a team best 10 digs, three kills, an ace and a block assist.
Junior outside hitter Julia Bergmann led the Yellow Jackets’ vaunted attack with a match-high 17 kills. The ACC Player of the Year also set a career high with five block assists to go with four digs. Nearly keeping pace with Bergmann was senior right-side hitter Mariana Brambilla, who turned in an all-around effort as she tallied 13 kills, four block assists and eight digs.
Senior middle blocker Breland Morrissette was Tech’s most productive defender, piling up a team-high five block assists while pitching in offensively with five kills. Junior middle blocker Erin Moss was the Jackets’ most efficient attacker, coming away with a .600 attacking percentage with six kills, also doing her part defensively with four block assists.
Georgia Tech moves on to the Sweet 16 having won 57 of its last 68 matches dating back to 2019. The Jackets have also won 35 of their last 40 matches on The Flats in O’Keefe Gymnasium.
NCAA Tournament Round Two vs. WKU
December 4, 2021 (Danny Karnik)
How it Happened
WKU came out of the gates firing in the first set, initially jumping on top, 5-1. Tech incrementally climbed back until a five-point run vaulted the Jackets into the lead, 12-10. The White and Gold would stave off the Hilltoppers from there to avoid trailing throughout the remainder of the set. Despite WKU knotting things up at 21 all, Georgia Tech closed out the set taking the final four points as a block by Morrissette and Brambilla cemented the 25-21 first set win for the Yellow Jackets.
The second set was tight throughout the majority of its duration as Tech gradually built up a 15-11 lead. The Jackets would keep their distance the rest of the way, getting hot toward the end of the set once again. The White and Gold took six of the final seven points as a team block gave the Jackets a 25-18 second set victory and two-set advantage.
Georgia Tech took control early in the third set, claiming nine of 11 points to leap in front, 12-5. The Hilltoppers would creep back as close as within a point trailing just 22-21, but Tech would again avoid surrendering the lead. The Yellow Jackets earned their final three points as none other than Bergmann capped off the 25-23 set win, resulting in another match sweep.
Up Next
Georgia Tech is slated to take on No. 9 seed Ohio State in the Sweet 16 next. Match date, time and location are yet to be officially determined.
Multimedia
𝗥𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗗 ✌️
🆚: #⃣1⃣7⃣ WKU
⏰: 7⃣ p.m.
📍: ATL
🏟️: O'Keefe Gymnasium
🎟️: https://t.co/p2OiBBVClc
📺: ESPN+
💻: https://t.co/BxtqDsbrxL
📈: https://t.co/JaQHl2Z5ff#TogetherWeSwarm /// #PointTech pic.twitter.com/UQpk3egmin— Georgia Tech Volleyball (@GTVolleyball) December 4, 2021
🎟️𝙎𝙊𝙇𝘿 𝙊𝙐𝙏🎟️
See everyone in O'Keefe❕ Another packed 🏠 coming 🔜#TogetherWeSwarm /// #PointTech https://t.co/1Pcekzobnf
— Georgia Tech Volleyball (@GTVolleyball) December 4, 2021
Last night was special, but 🔒 in for one last ride in O'Keefe 😤#TogetherWeSwarm /// #PointTech pic.twitter.com/zKQW6ttVTF
— Georgia Tech Volleyball (@GTVolleyball) December 4, 2021
𝙏𝙄𝙈𝙀 𝙏𝙊 𝘿𝘼𝙉𝘾𝙀💃
One more wild night in O'Keefe 😤 If you couldn't make it, be sure to check us out 👇
Tune in on @ESPNPlus
💻: https://t.co/BxtqDst2pj
📈: https://t.co/JaQHl3gG6N#TogetherWeSwarm /// #PointTech pic.twitter.com/kRVNkgQoay— Georgia Tech Volleyball (@GTVolleyball) December 5, 2021
Welcome to sold-out O’Keefe Gymnasium where a spot in the Sweet 16 is on the line between @WKUVolleyball and @GTVolleyball. Jackets and Toppers rank #2 and #6 in the nation in hitting %. @Keleeveland and I have your call at 7p ET on ESPN+. Let’s go! pic.twitter.com/my9U4fX4ue
— Andy Demetra 😷 (@AndyDemetra) December 4, 2021
What to do in ATL on a Saturday Night. Georgia Tech Volleyball. It’s win or go Home!!! Let’s go Yellowjackets!!!! @GTAthletics @GTVolleyball pic.twitter.com/sQh8DrZ5v2
— Marty McDaniel (@marty_mac17) December 4, 2021
Another raucous crowd on hand at O’Keefe for the second round of the NCAA Tourney 🔊
𝗟𝗲𝘁’𝘀 𝗴𝗼, 𝗝𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗲𝘁𝘀! #TogetherWeSwarm 🐝 pic.twitter.com/6CUoh8EPL2
— Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (@GTAthletics) December 5, 2021
S1 | Paola drops a serve in no man's land for an ♠️𝐀𝐂𝐄♠️❕🎯
🔝8⃣
🐝6⃣ pic.twitter.com/N6TutCmoVV— Georgia Tech Volleyball (@GTVolleyball) December 5, 2021
S1 | Now Bianca comes through with an ♠️𝐀𝐂𝐄♠️ as the Jackets take 🖐️ straight 𝘼𝙉𝘿 the lead❕🔥🔥🔥
🔝1⃣0⃣
🐝1⃣2⃣ pic.twitter.com/A9kq3jD1lH— Georgia Tech Volleyball (@GTVolleyball) December 5, 2021
S1 | @brelandtm11 and @mariibrambilla ⓈⓉⓊⒻⒻ the Hilltoppers at the net to take us to the media timeout in front❕💪
🔝1⃣2⃣
🐝1⃣5⃣ pic.twitter.com/HsWYhlX2bU— Georgia Tech Volleyball (@GTVolleyball) December 5, 2021
S1 | Bianca comes through with a kill to force a Topper timeout 👏👏
🔝1⃣6⃣
🐝1⃣9⃣ pic.twitter.com/WyNxkDwbrc— Georgia Tech Volleyball (@GTVolleyball) December 5, 2021
S1 | Gettin' the heart rate up in the first set😅 @mattimck_ drops an ♠️𝐀𝐂𝐄♠️ for Tech's third straight point, bringing the Jackets to set point❕🎯
🔝2⃣1⃣
🐝2⃣4⃣ pic.twitter.com/KMKQFk476z— Georgia Tech Volleyball (@GTVolleyball) December 5, 2021
𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗦𝗘𝗧 😤#TogetherWeSwarm /// #PointTech pic.twitter.com/DuqsDM8nRC
— Georgia Tech Volleyball (@GTVolleyball) December 5, 2021
Still haven't lost an NCAA tournament set 😏#TogetherWeSwarm /// #PointTech pic.twitter.com/W07KVWHReE
— Georgia Tech Volleyball (@GTVolleyball) December 5, 2021
S2 | 3⃣ straight for the White and Gold 🔥
🔝2⃣
🐝3⃣Tech leads the match 1⃣-0⃣ pic.twitter.com/q6ZW3t053P
— Georgia Tech Volleyball (@GTVolleyball) December 5, 2021
S2 | The Killer 🐝🐝🐝 are swarming this set as Brambilla, Bergmann and Bertolino have combined for 9⃣ points already 👀
🔝8⃣
🐝1⃣1⃣Tech leads the match 1⃣-0⃣ pic.twitter.com/9ciqN3DvwZ
— Georgia Tech Volleyball (@GTVolleyball) December 5, 2021
S2 | Tech takes 4⃣ of the last 5⃣ points as Julia sends us into the media timeout with a kill 🔥🔥
🔝1⃣1⃣
🐝1⃣5⃣Tech leads the match 1⃣-0⃣ pic.twitter.com/nGBY8m2Wjm
— Georgia Tech Volleyball (@GTVolleyball) December 5, 2021
✨𝗠𝗔𝗧𝗧𝗜 𝟰𝗞✨
🅷🆄🅶🅴 congrats to @mattimck_ for becoming the 3⃣rd Yellow Jacket in program history to surpass 4⃣,0⃣0⃣0⃣ career assists❕🤯#TogetherWeSwarm /// #PointTech pic.twitter.com/yqHFzU16Vg
— Georgia Tech Volleyball (@GTVolleyball) December 5, 2021
Opposing teams when they see @GTVolleyball hitters preparing to swing 😰 pic.twitter.com/58KIn7NyG1
— Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (@GTAthletics) December 5, 2021
S2 | Leading in the late stages 👀 @BiancaBertolin0 pinpoints 𝘼𝙉𝙊𝙏𝙃𝙀𝙍 ♠️𝐀𝐂𝐄♠️ to increase Tech's advantage and force a WKU timeout❕🎯
🔝1⃣7⃣
🐝2⃣1⃣Tech leads the match 1⃣-0⃣ pic.twitter.com/rz3bvWKejp
— Georgia Tech Volleyball (@GTVolleyball) December 5, 2021
Defense wins championships, right?#TogetherWeSwarm /// #PointTech pic.twitter.com/EpddZrrt9A
— Georgia Tech Volleyball (@GTVolleyball) December 5, 2021
𝗧𝗔𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗧𝗥𝗢𝗟 😤
6⃣ of the last 7⃣ points go to the Jackets in a dominant closing stretch 💪#TogetherWeSwarm /// #PointTech pic.twitter.com/oEsEJdfqdP
— Georgia Tech Volleyball (@GTVolleyball) December 5, 2021
S3 | The Brazilian 💣💥 squad is back at it❕ Julia and @mariibrambilla take 6⃣ of the last 8⃣ points as the Jackets start pulling away early 😱🔥🔥
🔝4⃣
🐝🔟Tech leads the match 2⃣-0⃣ pic.twitter.com/TB1YPgr0pG
— Georgia Tech Volleyball (@GTVolleyball) December 5, 2021
S3 | We're making so many runs that it's hard to single out points 😅 Just know we're hitting .4⃣2⃣2⃣ as Julia leads the attack with 1⃣4⃣ kills, so things are going well 👌
🔝9⃣
🐝1⃣6⃣Tech leads the match 2⃣-0⃣ pic.twitter.com/ko6z3SUKQZ
— Georgia Tech Volleyball (@GTVolleyball) December 5, 2021
.@GTVolleyball is out here just having FUN #TogetherWeSwarm pic.twitter.com/fBKmLhfpMt
— Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (@GTAthletics) December 5, 2021
☑️
☑️
🔲
🔲
🔲
🔲#TogetherWeSwarm /// #PointTech pic.twitter.com/vdb59Gt8Sc— Georgia Tech Volleyball (@GTVolleyball) December 5, 2021
🍭𝙎𝙒𝙀𝙀𝙏𝙀𝙎𝙏 𝙎𝙒𝙀𝙀𝙋 𝙏𝙃𝙄𝙎 𝙎𝙀𝘼𝙎𝙊𝙉🍭
We're headed to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2⃣0⃣0⃣4⃣ without a scratch❕🥳 🅷🆄🅶🅴 s/o to all you crazy Jackets for making O'Keefe the best place to play in the country 🐝🐝🐝#TogetherWeSwarm /// #PointTech pic.twitter.com/soWdinUKeE
— Georgia Tech Volleyball (@GTVolleyball) December 5, 2021
How 𝓢𝓦𝓔𝓔𝓣 it is 🍭🎉#TogetherWeSwarm /// #PointTech pic.twitter.com/FDDsIgRraG
— Georgia Tech Volleyball (@GTVolleyball) December 5, 2021
No stoppin' the Ramblin' Wreck from Georgia Tech! 🐝
(8) @GTVolleyball's season continues to next week's Regionals after dropping Western Kentucky in straight sets (25-21, 25-18, 25-23).#NCAAVB pic.twitter.com/RR3zo46MFG
— NCAA Women's Volleyball (@NCAAVolleyball) December 5, 2021
My heart is so full for @collmich and everyone associated with the @GTVolleyball program!
THIS TEAM, WOW! They are TOUGH! #POINTECH https://t.co/IDfhsWlity
— coacн мoraleѕ (@Coach_A_Mo) December 5, 2021
It’s on to the Sweet Sixteen for @GTVolleyball. #TogetherWeSwarm🐝🏐 pic.twitter.com/wW77zv3l3V
— Georgia Tech (@GeorgiaTech) December 5, 2021
So proud. https://t.co/CgEz6vNqho
— Georgia Tech (@GeorgiaTech) December 5, 2021
THIS TEAM.
Best part? They’re not done 🐝 pic.twitter.com/yCZ09WjUeT
— Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (@GTAthletics) December 5, 2021
𝐑𝐔𝐌𝐁𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐆, 𝔹𝕌𝕄𝔹𝕃𝕀ℕ𝔾, but definitely 𝙽𝙾𝚃 stumbling! 🐝#NCAAVB x 📸 @GTAthletics pic.twitter.com/GYqiCRke6r
— NCAA Women's Volleyball (@NCAAVolleyball) December 5, 2021
𝕍𝕀𝔼𝕎𝕊 pic.twitter.com/sPrsmhQHzm
— Georgia Tech Volleyball (@GTVolleyball) December 5, 2021
𝘼𝙍𝙀 pic.twitter.com/CnsCG7ehnK
— Georgia Tech Volleyball (@GTVolleyball) December 5, 2021
𝐼𝑀𝑀𝒜𝒞𝒰𝐿𝒜𝒯𝐸 pic.twitter.com/o7wyVRSL2E
— Georgia Tech Volleyball (@GTVolleyball) December 5, 2021
🎉🎉🎉 pic.twitter.com/yO9wbqEd3i
— Georgia Tech Volleyball (@GTVolleyball) December 5, 2021
Thank you to my AMAZING TEAMMATES!!!!! 💛💛💛🐝 https://t.co/BarviHjSCk
— matti mckissock (@mattimck_) December 5, 2021
🎙️: @collmich, @mariibrambilla and @mattimck_ after Tech's sweep of WKU to advance to the Sweet 1⃣6⃣❕#TogetherWeSwarm /// #PointTech pic.twitter.com/aAbemYqmPm
— Georgia Tech Volleyball (@GTVolleyball) December 5, 2021
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