University of Tennessee Athletics
SHORTHANDED LADY VOLS SHUTOUT VIRGINIA TECH, 3-0
September 17, 2002 | Volleyball
Sept. 17, 2002
BLACKSBURG, Va.
Despite being shorthanded with only seven healthy players, the University of Tennessee Lady Vol volleyball squad still managed to shutout the Virginia Tech Hokies 3-0 (30-23, 30-28, 30-26) Tuesday night in Blacksburg, Va. Tennessee improved to 9-2 on the year with the victory, while Virginia Tech fell to 6-5 with the loss.
In game one of the match, UT only allowed the Hokies to tie the contest once at 3-3 and then never surrendered the lead from that point. Lady Vol freshman outside hitter Jasmine Fullove recorded five kills in the frame for the Orange and White, breaking her previous career-high of three. She ended the match with seven kills on 19 attacks to establish new career marks. Freshman middle blocker Heather Harrington also pitched in four kills and two blocks to help the Big Orange's cause. UT won game one by a 30-23 count.
The Lady Vols sprinted to an early 4-1 lead in the second game, but the Fightin' Gobblers of Virginia Tech roared back and took their first lead on the night, 10-9. VT's advantage grew as high as four with the score 21-17 before UT mounted a comeback of its own, taking the lead 25-24 on one of freshman middle blocker Kristen Andre's career-high-tying 14 kills. Andre's 25 attacks on the night also tied a career-best.
With game two knotted at 28-28, the Lady Vols used their steady ball control to force Virginia Tech into a hitting error and ended the second game with Harrington's seventh and final kill on the night for a 30-28 win. The Pasadena, Texas, native's seven kills and 15 attacks were both career marks. She also denied four Hokie attacks, which tied her most productive defensive output of the year.
Tennessee fell behind from the get-go in the third frame of the match. The Lady Vols, however, never let the Hokies take more than a three-point lead, continuing to nip at their heels until overtaking them 20-19 on sophomore middle blocker Michelle Piantadosi's ninth kill of the contest. The Boca Raton, Fla., native's kill came during a stretch when Tennessee recorded seven straight points for a 23-19 advantage. From there, the Lady Vols never looked back and closed out their stay in Blacksburg with a 30-26 game three triumph.
"I'm as proud as I've ever been with our team tonight," said UT Head Coach Rob Patrick, who recently captured his 100th career victory against East Carolina last weekend. "We took advantage of every mistake that Virginia Tech made and that was the difference in the match."
Piantadosi finished the night with 11 kills on 34 attacks. Freshman setter Julie Knytych assisted on 29 kills and recorded four of her own to go along with seven digs, two aces and a career-best four blocks.
UT was without senior outside hitter Janelle Hester for the second straight match as she remained in Davenport, Iowa, on Tuesday to attend to a family emergency. Sophomore right side hitter Whitney Gifford is continuing her injury battle this season, and senior outside hitter Kelli Scott suffered an injury during UT's morning practice, which severely limited her playing abilities against the Hokies. The Big Orange will look to return all three players for its next matchup against Appalachian State on Sunday, Sept. 22, at 2 p.m. in Stokely Athletics Center.
