Tech graduate transfer Ashley Homan (photo above) finished with 12 kills and five digs to lead the Virginia Tech volleyball team to a 3-0 sweep of the Citadel Bulldogs Thursday in the season opener at Carilion Clinic Court.
The Hokies won by scores of 25-13, 25-16, 25-18 in the debut of new head coach Marci Byers, who received contributions from a number of players. Freshman Brie Postema had 20 assists while Marisa Cerchio added nine kills and three blocks.
In the first set, the Hokies jumped off to an 8-0 lead behind back-to-back kills from senior Cerchio. The Hokies controlled the set from that point on and went on to win 25-13 in the first.
In the second stanza, Tech once again jumped off to a hot start going up 12-5 behind setter Talyn Jackson’s ace and sophomore Cera Powell’s kill. Late in the second, Homan recorded a key kill to bring Tech up 24-15. The Hokies closed out the second 25-16.
The Citadel grabbed an early lead in third going up 7-4. Tech caught fire and went on a 5 to 1 run to even the set at 10-10. It was all Hokies from that point on as Tech claimed the third 25-18 and won the match.
The Hokies return to action Thursday, Sept. 24, against North Carolina at Carilion Clinic Court.