Nov. 4, 2016
THE FLATS – The Georgia Tech volleyball team (20-5, 11-2 ACC) notched its 20th win of the season and 10th straight with a 3-0 sweep of Virginia Tech (8-16, 3-10 ACC) in front of an enthusiastic crowd at O’Keefe Gym on Friday night.
With the win:
– The Jackets tallied 20 wins for the first time since 2009, which was the last time the Jackets went to the NCAA Tournament.
– The win streak is extended to 10 matches for the longest since 2004.
– The Jackets have won 11 ACC matches for the first time since 2010.
– It marks 12 sweeps this season.
– It is the first sweep for the Jackets against the Hokies since Nov. 21, 2009.
How It Happened
In set one, the Jackets turned a 16-13 lead into a 23-13 advantage with seven points in a row. Georgia Tech put the first set away on a kill by Sydney Wilson to win 25-14. Georgia Tech held the Hokies to a .100 hitting clip in game one while swinging at .343.
Georgia Tech was down 13-11 in game two, but tied it up 14-14 behind a pair of kills from Sydney Wilson. From there, the score was tied eight times, including at 24-24. Annika Van Gunst put down a kill to end a marathon rally, giving Georgia Tech set point, and a Virginia Tech attacking error gave the Jackets a 26-24 win.
Set three was a seesaw contest with each team trading the lead. Knotted at 24-24, Teegan Van Gunst put the Jackets in front 25-24 on a kill from the back row and a block by Sydney Wilson and Annika Van Gunst put the set away 26-24.
Quote
“I think we are just staying resilient and found ways to execute on some of the things like Annika [Van Gunst] on that last block, we finally got a block on the outside,” head coach Michelle Collier said. “I think we just kept trying different things and seeing what was going to work for us.
“We definitely needed to play a little more consistent against this team; we kept it way too close. [Virginia Tech] did a good job against us; their outside played a very good match. This team is very resilient, we know what we need to do to win and we don’t give up on any point or any play so I think we just kept fighting and staying composed.”
Quick Hits
-Teegan Van Gunst recorded her 15th double-double this season with 15 kills and 13 digs.
-Sydney Wilson hit above .500 (.533) for the third match in a row with nine kills on 15 swings.
-Annika Van Gunst put up 14 digs and London Ackermann led all players with 15 digs.
-The Jackets tallied six service aces, including a pair from Annika Van Gunst and Rebecca Martin.
Up Next
The Jackets are looking to avenge a loss earlier in the season with a rematch against Pitt on Sunday at 1 p.m. on ACC Network Extra. Fans that bring a canned food donation for the Atlanta Food Bank will receive free admission.
Follow Along
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