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Date: Sept. 25, Sept. 27

Time: Friday vs. North Carolina (7 p.m.), Sunday vs. NC State (1 p.m.)

Match Notes

Live Stats

BLACKSBURG – Continuing their six-match homestretch, the Virginia Tech volleyball team welcomes Atlantic Coast Conference foes, North Carolina and NC State, to Cassell Coliseum on Friday and Sunday, beginning ACC action.

The Hokies enter this weekend with a 9-3 record while the Tar Heels and Wolfpack travel with 3-6 and 11-1 marks, respectively.

Tech returns to Cassell after a 2-1 result as host of the Hokie Invitational where setter Rhegan Mitchell and middle blocker Kennedy Bryan garnered all-tournament team honors. The redshirt-freshman collected 145 assists to average the weekend at 12.08 assists per set. Bryan attacked at a team-best .365 clip, downing 35 kills with 10 blocks.

Outside hitters Amanda McKinize and Lindsey Owens pace the team in kills, downing 168 and 147, respectively. Additionally, the tandem has 28 aces split evenly between them. Owens leads the pair by seven digs with 123 compared to McKinzie’s 116.

Libero Kenedy McGrath owns the defensive side of the court, collecting 176 digs to average 4.25 last weekend alone. Middles Ashley Battle and Cara Cunningham are neck-and-neck to own the top spot, posting 1.09 and 1.08 blocks per set, respectively.

Scouting the Tar Heels:

Reigning ACC champion, North Carolina comes to Blacksburg after splitting the ACC-Big Ten Classic with a rout of No. 20 Michigan and a four-set loss to Michigan State. Despite a 3-6 record, the Tar Heels have either been ranked or receiving votes in the AVCA since the first week of the 2013 season. North Carolina began their 2015 slate with five of nine matches against ranked opponents and eight of which were listed in the AVCA preseason poll on Aug. 12. Seniors Paige Neuenfeldt and Leigh Andrew lead the offense with 78 and 71 kills for the Tar Heels.

Scouting the Wolfpack:

NC State begins their weekend trip at Pittsburgh on Friday night before heading to Blacksburg. The Wolfpack is coming off a perfect 3-0 sweep of the Tulane Tournament, including a three set victory over the previously unscathed Tennessee Volunteers. Blayke Hranicka was named ACC Co-Freshman of the Week following 18 kills, a .410 attacking percentage, and a standout performance of 12 blocks against Tennessee last weekend. Middle blocker Kaitlyn Kearney tops the Wolfpack’s 2015 stats with 122 kills and 60 blocks, averaging 1.43 per set.

The Series:

Tech trails the series against North Carolina, 5-22. The Hokies loss to the Tar Heels last season was the squads’ last loss of the season as they went on to win six-straight to close out 2014. The most recent Tech victory over North Carolina was a four-set decision in 2011. The Hokies lead the series with the Wolfpack, 20-10 with the first matchup nearly 40 years ago. Tech has not lost to NC State since 2012, sweeping both matches in 2013 and a four-set victory last season.

Up Next:

Tech retakes the court on Wednesday at 7 p.m., facing Pittsburgh in a midweek duel at Cassell Coliseum.

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