Jackets Fall to Cavaliers, 3-1

Head coach Michelle Collier says: “I’m disappointed with the outcome. We made a lot of errors that we couldn’t afford to make and Virginia capitalized on that and played a good match. It’s a short turnaround to play again on the road at North Carolina on Thursday so we’ve got to get right back in the gym to get ready for them.”

How it happened: The Jackets came out sluggish, allowing Virginia to take a 10-6 lead in the first. After calling a timeout, Tech halted the Cavaliers 8-2 run with a 5-0 run of its own, sparked by huge swing from senior Gabriela Stavnetchei. Trading points to a 19-19 tie, Virginia utilized a timeout and went ahead by two at 21-19. Tech called a timeout but couldn’t get anything going and the Cavaliers pocketed the first set at 25-21.

The Jackets came out rolling in the second, cruising to a 10-5 lead. The Cavaliers took the first timeout of the set following a kill from sophomore Kodie Comby but the Jackets stayed with it, extending their lead to 12-5. It was all coming up Jackets and Tech sealed the set at 25-15 with a service ace from senior Gabby Benda to tie the match at 1-1.

The Cavaliers came out hot in the third, taking a 6-2 lead but Tech grabbed four in a row to tie the score at 6-6. Going back and forth to a 22-22 tie, Virginia took the final three points of the set for the 25-22 win and 2-1 advantage over the Jackets.

The two teams battled it out to start the set but the Cavaliers jumped ahead at 8-5, inciting the Yellow Jackets to call timeout. Tech used up its second timeout as the Cavaliers pushed their lead to 14-8. A 4-0 run brought the Jackets within four at 18-14 off a kill from Benda but that was as close as it would get, Virginia took the fourth at 25-18 for the 3-1 victory.

Up next: Tech is back on the road next weekend for its final two road games of the regular season. The Jackets take on the Tar Heels on Thursday, Nov. 9 at 6:30 p.m. before finishing out the road trip at NC State at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 11.

Quick hits: – Gabriela Stavnetchei recorded her 10th double-double of the season with 16 kills and 12 digs. – Three Jackets finished with double-figure kills (Stavnetchei, Comby, Clifton)

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