TALLAHASSEE – The Florida State volleyball team (11-8, 5-5 ACC) defeated Virginia Tech (9-12, 1-9 ACC) in three-straight sets (25-24, 25-12, 25-21) on Sunday, Oct. 26 in Tully Gymnasium.
 
The Seminoles have won the past three conference matchups, evening their record at 5-5 in ACC play. They have won 13 consecutive matches against the Hokies and remain unbeaten by them at home, improving their record against VT to 40-4 all-time.
 
After a heated first set that saw the team overcome an early deficit and fend off a Hokie comeback, the Seminoles found their momentum and cruised through the second frame. VT was not eager to go down easily and put up a late-game fight in the third set, but FSU matched their resolve and rallied to the end.
 
Senior outside hitter Iane Henke hit a season-best .469 and led the offense with 16 kills. Junior outside hitter Kyleene Filimaua added 10 kills as well as a team-high four service aces. Senior setter Nellie Stevenson recorded a team-leading 12 digs while senior libero Mio Yamamoto posted 11.
 
The first set started off hot as both teams traded points, but the Hokies would eventually find a groove and force the Seminoles to battle from a 6-11 deficit. Timely kills from Filimaua and multiple service errors from the opposition allowed FSU to tie it 13-13 and work ahead.
 
Attack errors proved costly as VT wrestled the lead back late, but a surge of kills from Henke sealed the aggressive first set 25-23 for the Seminoles.

Set two began with back-to-back service aces from Filimaua as the Seminoles continued to capitalize on errors from Virginia Tech. Dynamic digs from Yamamoto kept rallies alive as Florida State scored six straight points to gain a 10-2 lead.

 

Three more aces and stellar defense from Florida State saw Virginia Tech shut down offensively, posting just seven kills to FSU’s 11. Filimaua and freshman opposite hitter Lexie Mason added three kills each while Henke led with four as the Seminoles routed the Hokies 25-12 in the second set.

 

Virginia Tech started the third set with newfound strength, forcing two more lead changes throughout the final frame. Despite the pressure, Florida State didn’t let up. Filimaua and Mason contributed three kills each while Henke led the effort with five, including the set-winning shot. Freshman middle blocker Nenu Kpea put pressure on the Hokie attackers, recording a solo block and contributing to four of the six total blocks.

 

Florida State paced Virginia Tech 43-37 in kills and posted six blocks to the Hokies’ five. The Seminoles registered 12 service aces, their second highest in a single game this season.

Florida State will continue their home slate on Friday, Oct. 31 against Syracuse. The game is set for 6:30 p.m. and will air on ACCNX.

 

For updates and exclusive content, follow the Seminoles on X (@FSU_Volleyball), Instagram (@fsuvolleyball) and Facebook (Florida State Seminoles Volleyball).