Tweet

	1	2	3	4	F
Louisville (7-12)	25	25	22	25	3
Virginia Tech (8-12)	18	10	25	22	1
Cassell Coliseum - 652 Box Score Photo Gallery

BLACKSBURG – Senior Lindsey Owens had a team-best 10 kills and 11 digs for her 10th double-double of the season but it wasn’t enough as the Virginia Tech volleyball team fell to Louisville, 3-1, at Carilion Court on Friday evening.

Owens also finished with two service aces and two blocks for the Hokies (8-12, 3-6 ACC). Junior Cara Cunningham tallied five kills on six attempts to go along with two blocks while senior Amanda McKinzie posted a team-high 14 digs and eight kills.

The Cardinals (7-12, 2-7 ACC) started out strong offensively but the Tech defense held them to hitting percentages of .167 and .176 in the first and second sets, respectively.

After dropping the first two sets, Tech trailed 6-3 coming out of the locker room in the third game. The Hokies responded with a 9-2 run that was capped off by a kill from Cunningham, forcing Louisville to call a timeout trailing 12-8.

The Cardinals cut its deficit to one, 17-16, but Tech rattled off three-straight points to take a 20-16 advantage. A service ace from junior Mandy Powers gave her team set point as Tech held off a late rally to take the fame, 25-22. Sophomore Kelly Esch provided a significant offensive lift off the bench as she posted four kills on four attacks in frame.

The Hokies hung with Louisville in the fourth before the Cardinals opened up a 20-14 lead. Tech refused to go away though as consecutive kills from Owens and Cunningham followed by an attack error cut the deficit to three, 23-20. Despite the momentum, the Louisville defense proved to be too strong as a block assist clinched the fourth, 25-22.

The Hokies return to action on Sunday for its annual Pink Match at 1 p.m. against Notre Dame. The first 100 fans in attendance will receive a pink Virginia Tech water bottle

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