Rams avenge losing streak against Hokies

Noah Fleischman, Sports Editor

Volleyball took revenge on Virginia Tech for last year’s sweep on the Rams, knocking off the Hokies 3-1 on Tuesday in Richmond, snapping a 16-match losing streak against the team. 

The Rams and Hokies traded points throughout the first set, but Virginia Tech was able to build a 4-point lead using a 3-0 scoring run. The Hokies extended their lead to seven, outscoring VCU 6-2 late in the first set. 

Virginia Tech took the first set 25-21 after the Rams committed five service errors in the opening set. 

In the second set, the Rams used a 4-0 scoring run to nab the lead from the Hokies and pull ahead by one midway through the set. 

The Rams set the tone in the second set with six blocks, including two from the duo of redshirt-senior middle blockers Jaelyn Jackson and Kat Young.

“We had a couple challenges in the first set and we made adjustments and we came back in the second set,” coach Jody Rogers said. “Then we did what we do well, we stayed aggressive and got them out of their offense.”

VCU outscored the Hokies 5-1 late in the second set to take a 23-17 lead. Senior middle blocker Jasmin Sneed sparked the run with two kills and two blocks in a row. 

Sneed logged a match-high eight blocks against the Hokies, as well as 10 kills. The Rams combined for 15 blocks on the night. 

The Rams swiped the second set from Virginia Tech 25-19 to tie the match at one apiece. 

Senior opposite hitter Vicky Giommarini sparked a 4-1 scoring run for the Rams in the third set with two kills and an ace, forcing the Hokies to call their first timeout of the set. 

Giommarini recorded a team-high 13 kills and logged three blocks.

The Rams closed the third set outscoring the Hokies 7-2 to win it 25-19 and take the lead. 

In the fourth set, the Rams used a 5-0 scoring run with two VCU aces to pull ahead by six midway through the set. 

The Rams closed the match taking the fourth set 25-19.