Nov. 1, 2013
THE FLATS – The Virginia Cavaliers rallied from a 2-1 deficit to defeat the Georgia Tech volleyball team, 3-2 (17-25, 25-22, 25-22, 13-25, 12-15) Friday at O’Keefe Gym. With the loss, the Yellow Jackets fall to 8-15 on the season and 2-9 in ACC play, while the Cavaliers improve to 13-10 overall and 6-5 in league action.
Senior Jennifer Percy paced Georgia Tech with 12 kills, while senior Quinn Evans pitched in 10 kills. Evans and Chanell Clark-Bibbs led Tech’s blocking effort with four and six blocks, respectively.
The teams were neck-and-neck to start the match. UVA gained momentum on a three-point run to take the lead 13-9.That’s all the momentum the Cavaliers needed, extending their lead to 21-14. Virginia was aggressive at the serving line with four of its six total aces coming in the opening frame.
Tech came out strong in the beginning of the second stanza. The Jackets rattled off five straight to go up 5-2, and opened that to a 9-3 advantage. The Cavaliers clawed their way back into the game and within one point, 20-9, but the Jackets buckled down, and a kill by Percy gave Tech set point and a Virginia attacking error handed Tech the game, 25-22.
Four-straight UVA attacking errors gave Tech a 5-2 lead in game three. The Yellow Jackets remained in control through the remainder of the game, winning 25-22. Attacking errors were prominent on the Cavaliers side of the court as Virginia hit .000 in the set. Tech was slightly more accurate with a .081 clip in the third frame.
The Jackets’ productivity at the net declined in the fourth set with eight attacking errors and five kills on 30 swings. The Cavaliers took a five-point lead 8-3 and never looked back, winning the game 25-13 and forcing a fifth frame.
Tech led by one, 8-7, at the switch in game five courtesy of a UVA service error that broke up its three-point run. The teams battled for the lead with five tied scores. Tied 11-11, Virginia reeled off three-straight for match-point and ended it on a kill by Haley Cole.
The Jackets are back in action Sunday when they host Virginia Tech. Action starts at 1 p.m. and will air on ESPN3.
For an inside look at the program, follow Georgia Tech volleyball on Twitter, @GTVolleyball, Instagram, GTVolleyball, and like the Yellow Jackets on Facebook, Georgia Tech Volleyball.
