Last season Virginia Tech swept VCU Volleyball out of Blacksburg 3-0. The Rams avenged that setback by denying the Hokies at the net all night long on Tuesday at the Siegel Center.

Delays and miscues went against the Black & Gold to begin the night. Set 1 went in favor of Virginia Tech 22-17 with VCU committing 7 attacking errors and 5 service errors. The Rams scored a handful of kills but the deficit was too great in the opening act.

VCU flipped the script on the Hokies to tie the match at 1-1. The Rams were led by the plyometric blocker known as Jasmin Sneed with 7 total blocks. Sneed combined with Gina Tuzzolo on offense to co-lead VCU with 6 kills before the break. A Black & Gold blockade at the net locked the Hokies out of set 2. 9 blocks for VCU led to the 25-19 victory.

Set 3 was back and forth duel at the net. VCU remained strong at the net with denials Jaelyn Jackson and Kat Young alongside Sneed. Paula Neciporuka broke Set 3 open for VCU with a service ace and Vicky Giommarini added a second. Dajah Arh and Madalon Simpson dug deep to give VCU life by denying the Hokies chances throughout Set 3.

The Black & Gold mustered a 4-0 run late thanks to a kill/block combo putting VCU ahead 22-17. Jackson finished the set at 25-19 with the final kill for VCU.

Virginia Tech couldn’t find the answer against the Rams in the final set of the night. Giommarini continued her warpath from Set 3 into the next set to lead VCU with 13 kills. Sneed nearly got a double-double against the Hokies with 10 kills and 8 blocks. Neciporuka and Tuzzolo added 11 kills each to VCU’s 58 kill tally against Virginia Tech on Tuesday night.

Rams left the court with a 3-1 victory over their ACC rival at the Siegel Center. VCU Volleyball goes back above .500 at 5-3 on the season. Next up for the Rams is the Wichita State Invitational on Friday, September 13th.

Mark Turner

Mark graduated from VCU in 2014 with a major in Criminal Justice and a minor in Psychology. He started as a fan of the Black & Gold in the stands his freshman year. Mark was known as "Kazie" for his charismatic fandom with the VCU's student organization the Rowdy Rams. While at VCU he gained experience in sports media with WVCW on a sports radio show called Rowdy Radio. Following graduation, Mark continued crafting his social media skills with the Richmond Kickers while also handling VCU coverage. He is a true fan of the Rams and vocally passionate on and off camera. After the final whistle, you can probably find him at local RVA bar or brewery enjoying a drink and conversation.