BLACKSBURG, VA - The Coastal Carolina University volleyball team dropped its first match of the season, falling 3-1 (23-25, 23-25, 26-24, 16-25) to the Virginia Tech Hokies (3-0) in the final match of the Hawthorn Suites Hokie Invitational at Cassell Coliseum Saturday, Aug 30.

 

Sophomore Chelsy Kimes (Munster, Ind./Munster) and junior Megan Pollard (Naperville, Ill./Naperville Central) registered match-highs, as Kimes tallied 15 kills, while Pollard had 23 digs against the Hokies. Junior Meagan Tracey (Scottsdale, Ariz./Horizon) and freshman Kelsie Mauck (Muncie, Ind./Delta) combined for 36 assists in the contest.

 

The Chanticleers (2-1) played an even set with the Hokies, splitting the first 16 points for an 8-8 tie, before tallying the next five points to jump ahead 13-8. The Hokies answered with a five-point streak of their own to even the score again at 13-13. A kill from Tracey gave the Chants a 23-22 advantage, but a block, a kill and a service ace by the Hokies earned the frame’s final three points, as Virginia Tech won the opening set 25-23.

 

The second set started off swapping points again, but Coastal Carolina trailed by three points for most of the set. A four-point swing gave the Chants a 22-21 lead, with the go ahead point coming off a service ace from sophomore Amanda Russell (Liberty, Ind./Union County). The Hokies went up 23-22, but two attacking errors by the Chanticleers handed the Hokies the second set.

 

With the first two sets decided by two points each, the third set proved much of the same, as the team’s battled through nine ties and three lead changes. After a 23-23 tie, the Hokies grabbed the next tally to earn a match point, but the Chanticleers refused to give up, and recorded the next three points to steal the third set 26-24.

 

Virginia Tech jumped out to a 5-0 lead early in the fourth set. The Chanticleers would pull within three points off a kill by Russell, but the Hokies stretched their lead to 19-10, and finished strong to claim the final set 25-16. Virginia Tech hit .467, as Coastal Carolina had a .222 hitting percentage in the final frame.

 

Coastal Carolina finished in second place behind Virginia Tech at the Hawthorn Suites Hokie Invitational. Kimes and junior Jill Nyhof (Alpharetta, Ga./Northview) were named to the All-Tournament team for their strong performances. Kimes recorded 45 kills, while Nyhof posted an impressive 23 kills in three matches.

 

The Chanticleers will travel to Wichita, Kansasnext weekend to compete at the Best Western Shocker Volleyball Classic. The Chants open the tournament with a match against Ohio State Thursday, Sept. 4, at 10:30 a.m.

 

Hawthorn Suites Hokie Invitational All-Tournament Team

Jayme Gergen, Virginia Tech
Betsy Horowitz, Virginia Tech
Erin Leaser, Virginia Tech
Chelsy Kimes, Coastal Carolina
Jill Nyhof, Coastal Carolina
Christina Estebane', Maryland-Eastern Shore
Ashley Harris, Winston-Salem State