October 9, 2014
Hokies set for a pair of weekend matches
Tech travels to Clemson Friday, hosts UVA on Sunday

BLACKSBURG, Va. – The Virginia Tech volleyball team is scheduled for a pair of weekend matches. Tech will travel to Clemson to face the Tigers on Friday at 7 p.m. before returning home to take on rival Virginia on Sunday, Oct. 12 at 1 p.m. in Cassell Coliseum.

THE HOKIES (8-8, 1-2 ACC)
Virginia Tech is coming off a 3-1 win over NC State the last time out. Lindsey Owens tallied 15 kills and 18 digs in the match for the Hokies while Amanda McKinzie also posted a double-double with 11 kills and 13 digs.

Owens leads Tech on the season, averaging 3.64 kills per set. Kathryn Caine is adding 2.30 kps while McKinzie is chipping in 2.27 kps. Jordan Fish and Kyra Coundourides split time in the setter spot, putting up 6.52 and 4.73 aps, respectively.

On the defensive side, Ashley Battle leads the Hokies at the net, posting 1.13 blocks per set. In the backcourt, Megan Beckwith is notching 3.10 digs per set with Owens averaging 2.86 dps.

THE TIGERS (11-5, 0-3 ACC)
Clemson fell to No. 12 North Carolina, 3-0 in the Tigers’ last outing. Kristin Faust and Leah Perri lead the Tigers on the season with Faust knocking down 3.65 kps and Perri adding 3.05 kps. Kate Federico is notching 9.86 aps.

Karis Watson leads the Tigers’ defense at the net with 1.47 bps. Niki Collier is notching 3.34 dps with Faust following with 2.8 dps.

Broadcast Information: The match will be broadcast live on TigerCast ($) on ClemsonTigers.com.

THE CAVALIERS (10-7, 3-1 ACC)
Virginia will take on No. 12 North Carolina on Friday before making the trip to Blacksburg on Sunday. Last weekend the Cavaliers went 1-1, falling to No. 25 Duke before defeating ACC newcomer Louisville.

Kayla Sears leads the ‘Hoos with 3.25 kps. Tori Janowski is recording 3.16 kps and Jasmine Burton is notching 3.10 kps. Lauren Fuller is putting up 10.94 aps to fuel the offense.

Defensively, UVA is led by Lexi Riccolo with 2.85 dps with Karlie Suber tallying 2.57 dps. Natalie Bausback and Morgan Blair are recording 1.12 and 1.0 bps at the net, respectively.

The first 200 fans at the match will receive a Beat Virginia t-shirt. It is also Micah’s Backpack Collection night in which fans are encouraged to bring cans of chicken noodle soup to be donated to the local charity.

Broadcast Information: The rivalry match will be available on ESPN3.

The Virginia Tech/Virginia match is sponsored by Virginia529, the official college savings plan of Virginia Tech Athletics. It is also a potential point in the Virginia529 Commonwealth Clash, the new point rivalry series between University of Virginia and Virginia Tech. Currently the score for the Clash, is University of Virginia 1 and Virginia Tech 0. Learn more about Virginia529 and this new competition at thecommonwealthclash.com.

ALL-TIME vs. THE OPPONENTS
Clemson leads the series 15-8 all-time including a 3-2 win in Clemson last season. Former Tech players Victoria Hamsher and Samantha Gostling led the Hokies in the match with a combined 29 kills. LaTasha Samson-Akpan is the top returner from the match with 10 kills. Perri is the top returner for the Tigers after tallying 14 kills last season.

The Hokies and ‘Hoos have a long history, having met 62 times previously with UVA holding the slight 32-30 advantage in the series. Virginia won the last meeting between the two teams, 3-1. Caine had 17 kills for the Hokies while Owens added 14. Natalie Bausback is the top returner from the match for the Cavaliers, posting 17 kills last season.

UP NEXT: The Hokies will make the Florida swing next weekend, stopping first in Miami for a 7 p.m. match on Friday, Oct. 17. Tech will face top-five ranked Florida State on Sunday, Oct. 19 at 1 p.m. in Tallahassee.

For updates on Virginia Tech volleyball, follow the Hokies on Twitter

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