November 22, 2015
Resilient Hokies down Eagles in four sets
Kenedy McGrath recorded 1,000th career dig in victory
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Boston College (11-19) 252411161
Virginia Tech (17-13) 172625253
  • Cassell Coliseum - 487

BLACKSBURG – Despite a rocky start, the Virginia Tech volleyball team secured a 3-1 come-from-behind win over Boston College on Sunday afternoon in Cassell Coliseum.

Tech slipped behind early in the opening frame but fought back to tie up the match at 1-1. The Hokies persevered to dominate the final two frames, outhitting the Eagles .348 to -.053 and .500 to .182 in the third and fourth sets, respectively, to secure their first consecutive ACC wins since September.

Seniors Kennedy Bryan and Kenedy McGrath led the Hokies to their four-set victory with Bryan pacing the offense with 12 kills and McGrath grounded the defense with 14 digs to surpass the 1,000-dig milestone. Four Hokies downed seven kills apiece to balance Tech’s attack. Middles Ashley Battle and Cara Cunningham each hit at a .545 clip while Battle collected 10 blocks to tie her single-match career record. Consistent sets and crucial aces by setters Rhegan Mitchell and Kyra Coundourides steadied the Hokies to improve their record to 17-13 overall, 8-10 in conference play.

The Eagles came out strong to start the match, attacking at a .231 rate. However Boston College could not overcome Tech. Despite a match-high of nine kills apiece by Julia Tapor and Katty Workman, the Eagles fell short in the final three frames to dip to an 11-19 overall mark and 3-15 in the ACC.

Boston College set the tone in the opening set, jumping to a commanding 10-point lead. Bryan tallied five kills for the Hokies but Tech fell short, 17-25.

The tides began to turn in the second frame with the squads fighting through 12 tie scores and six lead changes. McGrath’s seven digs in the set lifted her over the 1,000-dig mark. However, Battle’s blocking steadied the Hokies to their 26-24 victory, as the middle registered five blocks late in the set.

The Hokies dominated the third stanza led by Cunningham’s perfect 5-for-5 attack. Coundourides slugged back-to-back aces, forcing Boston College to call both timeouts early in the frame with Tech leading 13-3. The Hokies continued to attack, securing the 25-11 win.

Tech’s momentum took off in the final set as the squad attacked at a nearly perfect .500 clip. Katie Krueger slugged her final four of seven kills to close out the match with a .462 attack percentage. Despite Workman’s valiant efforts, the Hokies clinched the 25-16 win in the fourth frame.

Virginia Tech hits the road on Wednesday, facing Pittsburgh at 6 p.m. before returning home on Saturday for Senior Night at 4 p.m.

For updates on Virginia Tech volleyball, follow the Hokies on Twitter and on Instagram @vthokievolleyball Instagram

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