BLACKSBURG, Va. — Sometimes, it just isn’t enough.
Virginia Tech volleyball fought and scrapped with No. 3 Louisville on Sunday afternoon at Cassell Coliseum, but the Cardinals ultimately proved too much, sweeping the Hokies in straight sets (25-15, 25-18, 25-18).
“I think we gave it our all,” said sophomore outside hitter Adeline Hundl. “I feel like we did a lot of good things, and we just went out and competed. And that’s all you can ask for.”
The Hokies entered the contest having never defeated an opponent ranked higher than No. 14 — a feat accomplished on Oct. 24, 2020, against Duke — and holding a 7-75 all-time record against ranked opponents.
Virginia Tech went toe-to-toe with Louisville at times, but the Hokies’ hopes of pulling off a historic upset quickly unraveled as the Cardinals rarely relented.
“They’re massive,” said junior outside hitter Reese Hazelton. “They’re very huge. I think they got a great coach. They’re smart. They play at a really high level.”
Virginia Tech (8-15, 5-9 ACC) struggled to match Louisville's offensive efficiency, finishing with a .110 hitting percentage compared to the Cardinals' .333 mark. Louisville (24-2, 14-0 ACC) committed just eight attacking errors throughout the afternoon, while the Hokies recorded 18.
Virginia Tech jumped ahead 5-2 behind three kills from outside hitter Destiny Walker and two from Hundl, forcing Louisville to play from behind early. The Cardinals responded with four consecutive points, but the Hokies continued to answer, reclaiming an 8-7 advantage following a block from Walker and middle blocker Georgia Trexler. That was the last time Virginia Tech led in the opening frame.
Louisville scored eight of the next 10 points to establish a 15-10 advantage, capitalizing on Virginia Tech's attacking struggles while receiving contributions from outside hitters Chloe Chicoine and Chloe Meester. The Cardinals eventually claimed the opening set, 25-15 — and Virginia Tech finished with eight kills to as many attack errors for a .000 hitting percentage.
The second set followed a similar pattern; after Louisville established an early 5-2 advantage, Virginia Tech responded with three consecutive points to tie the frame. The Hokies continued battling, eventually evening the score at eight before the Cardinals put together another decisive scoring run.
Louisville scored five consecutive points to take a 13-8 advantage, with two attacking errors from Walker contributing to the separation. Virginia Tech managed to cut the deficit to three at 14-11, but Louisville maintained control throughout the remainder of the set, eventually taking a 25-18 victory.
The Hokies improved offensively, recording 11 kills on a .189 hitting percentage, but Louisville countered with 16 kills and a .378 hitting percentage.
“I think we just got a little more comfortable,” Hundl said. “… I feel like you get a feel for how high the block is, where the defense is — and the game just feels a lot easier to score.”
Virginia Tech's best opportunity came in the third set. After falling behind two sets to none, the Hokies built a 13-9 advantage behind contributions from Hazelton, middle blocker Isabella Mishler and Hundl. Virginia Tech eventually extended its lead to 16-12, putting itself in position to force a fourth set.
But Louisville erased the deficit in a matter of minutes. Trailing 17-14, the Cardinals scored seven consecutive points to take a 21-17 advantage. Louisville setter Nayelis Cabello recorded three service aces during the stretch, while two attacking errors from Hundl helped the Cardinals complete the turnaround.
“They’re just really scrappy,” Hundl said. “… Plays that you thought might have been over, they were able to keep going. Very annoying to score on when you feel like you had a good kill.”
“They’re more physical than us, so that obviously makes the job easier,” Hazelton said.
Virginia Tech managed just one more point before Louisville closed the match with a 25-18 victory. Cabello finished with 29 assists, 12 digs and three service aces, while Louisville opposite hitter Kalyssa Blackshear led Louisville with nine kills. Chicoine and Meester added eight kills apiece, and Meester recorded five service aces.
For Virginia Tech, Hundl and Walker led the offense with six kills each, while Hundl recorded six blocks. Hazelton added five kills and 12 digs, while setter Camilla Brandalise finished with 19 assists, four kills and nine digs.
The Hokies also struggled in serve reception, surrendering eight service aces and notching only two. Louisville held a 42-30 advantage in kills and an 8-5 edge in total blocks.
“They just took care of the little balls, the little things that we weren’t able to execute on,” Hundl said of Louisville. “Nothing crazy. I think they had some great swings, and we knew that was going to happen at the beginning of the game.”
Despite the difference in performance between the two teams, Hazelton believed Virginia Tech had an advantage in another area.
“I think we see the different levels between our team and their team — but our team is a lot more respectful than their team,” Hazelton said.
Despite remaining competitive during portions of all three sets, Virginia Tech could not sustain its momentum against a Louisville team that remains unbeaten in league play. The Hokies now head south for a pair of road bouts against Wake Forest and NC State.
In spite of Sunday’s sweep, Virginia Tech remains on an upward trajectory. The Hokies are winners of four of their last seven, and they’ve clinched their most ACC wins (five) since the 2020 season. Claiming another ACC win would mark Virginia Tech's first time claiming six ACC wins since the 2016 season (eight).
“I think we’re all really motivated just to push these last few games,” Hazelton said.
Virginia Tech’s clash against the Wolfpack is set for Friday, Nov. 13, at 7 p.m. ET, while it’ll take on Wake Forest on Sunday, Nov. 15, at 1 p.m. ET. Both games will be available for viewing on ACC Network Extra.
