Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG, Va. — Despite taking the first set and posting multiple career-high performances, Virginia Tech fell 3-1 to Wake Forest on Friday night. The Demon Deacons moved to 14-14 (8-9 ACC), while the Hokies moved to 11-17 (3-14 ACC) on the season.
The match opened with Virginia Tech battling to an early 7-5 lead before Wake Forest made several runs, forcing the Hokies to fight through tie scores. Payton Woods helped Virginia Tech take control with a 5-0 scoring run, highlighted by a kill and three consecutive aces, setting a new career high. Elizabeth Aylward followed with a kill to extend the lead to 17-13. The Demon Deacons fought back, tying the score at 19-19 to force a Virginia Tech timeout. Out of the break, the Hokies regained their rhythm, with kills from Sarah Malinowski and Reese Hazelton, and Camila Brandalise sealed the set with an ace for a 25-21 first-set win.
In the second set, Wake Forest grabbed an early advantage with a 6-0 run, taking a 9-5 lead. The Hokies responded, tying the set at 10-10 and forcing a Wake Forest timeout. The teams traded points until 17-17, when Wake took a 19-17 lead. Virginia Tech made a push, but with points from Hazelton and Malinowski, the Hokies trailed 21-23. Wake Forest closed out the set with back-to-back kills for a 25-21 win.
The third set saw Virginia Tech struggle to take control as Wake Forest surged to a 10-6 lead, forcing a Hokie timeout. After the break, Tech capitalized on Deacon errors, adding kills from Isabella Mishler and Ainsley Ranstead to close the gap. However, Wake extended the lead to 18-11, prompting another Virginia Tech timeout. Woods and Malinowski rallied, with three and four kills, respectively, but Wake Forest held off the Hokies to win 25-18.
In the fourth set, Virginia Tech regained its momentum, leading 8-4 and forcing a Wake Forest timeout. The Hokies benefitted from seven Deacon errors and a kill from Brianna Holladay, pushing ahead 15-8. However, Wake Forest mounted a comeback, posting several scoring runs to tie the set at 19-19. The Demon Deacons then took control and closed out the match with a 25-22 win.
Up Next
Virginia Tech returns to Cassell Coliseum on Sunday, Nov. 23, to host NC State at 1 p.m. ET in its annual Senior Day match. The Hokie seniors from the 2025 class will be celebrated and honored post-match. The match will be streamed live on ACCNX.
Match Notes
- Payton Woods led the Hokies with 13 kills (.333), a career-high three service aces, and four digs. She now has 298 kills for the season.
- Reese Hazelton also had a career night, posting a career-high 17 digs (most on team for the night) and eight kills.
- Sarah Malinowski contributed nine kills, three blocks, and two digs at the net.