Nov. 18, 2025

VT vs. UVA | November 29th

VIRGINIA TECH PARTICIPATES IN FIRST-GENERATION COLLEGE CELEBRATION WEEK

Lindsey Kudriavetz | News Writer

Virginia Tech students celebrated First-Generation College Week with various campus activities.

First-Generation College Celebration Week at Virginia Tech ran from Saturday, Nov. 8 to Friday, Nov. 14. The celebration included a variety of activities, networking events and career planning.

“A student is identified as a first-generation college student if neither parent/guardian has earned a bachelor’s degree at a four-year college or university,” according to the Dean of Students website. “Student Affairs is committed to the ongoing development of resources and tools that contribute to first-generation college student success.”

First-generation college celebration week is celebrated annually to

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commemorate the signing of the Higher Education Act of 1965. This act creates federally funded financial aid programs for first-generation students, according to First Gen Forward.

The week began with a “First-Gen BreakZone Takeover” Saturday, Nov. 8, from 5-9 p.m. The event included free food, first-gen student success merchandise and games.

The entire BreakZone space was rented, encouraging students to “take up space.”

On Monday, Nov. 10, the School of Education hosted a “Pop-in and Chat” in the War Memorial Suite from 3 to 5 p.m. Similarly, the College of Science

that to their readers, but rather to report as completely and impartially as possible all verifiable facts so that readers can, based on their own knowledge and experience, determine what they believe to be the truth.

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hosted a scavenger hunt Monday, Nov. 10, in Squires Student Center. This event was to encourage students to learn about resources for first-generation students and to connect with each other through problem-solving.

A Talk-O Tuesday event was held Nov. 11 in Newman Library for career planning, resume checks and LinkedIn workshops.

On Wednesday, Nov. 12, the sixth annual First-Gen Student and Faculty mixer was held in the Alumni Center. Students were matched with a mentor to help navigate their academic and professional journeys.

The GenOne Game Night was held Thursday, Nov. 13 night in Slusher Tower on the first floor.

To conclude the week, a First-Gen Graduate Luncheon was held in the Graduate Life Center from 12:30 to 1 p.m. Friday, Nov 14. This event was exclusively for graduate students and was another opportunity to explore networking and career-building resources.

First-Generation Student Success has activities to support first-generation students all year. More information can be found on their website or by emailing firstgen@vt.edu.

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STUDENTS EXPLORE PANHELLENIC PREVIEW DAY

Aliza Baliff | News Writer

On Nov. 8, 2025, the Virginia Tech Panhellenic Community hosted Panhel Preview Day. Students interested in formally rushing a sorority in January were invited to Oak Lane to tour sorority houses and meet current members. Oak Lane houses 19 Greek-lettered houses, 13 of which are sororities.

Isabel Elliot Ortega, a freshman majoring in creative writing, attended Panhel Preview Day. “I went at noon and saw six of the houses,” Ortega said. “It was fun to meet the girls, get tours and learn about their philanthropy. I also got to feel the different vibes of each

sorority, which is really important to me.”

“It was really cool to go to preview day and see all of the Greek houses,” said Tali Rosen, a freshman with an undecided major. “We toured the sororities and I met a bunch of members … Panhel Preview Day definitely made me even more excited to rush.”

Virginia Tech students looking to rush this upcoming spring semester must attend at least one panhellenic information session.

“Panhel Preview was a unique session because we actually got to tour the

houses and know what living in them was like,” Rosen said.

On Nov. 13, 2025, there was an additional panhellenic information session held in New Classroom Building at 7 p.m. Three more information sessions will be held Monday, Nov. 17, Wednesday, Dec. 3 and Thursday, Dec 11.

“I would definitely recommend that if you’re even slightly interested, you attend one of the sessions coming up. It doesn’t hurt just to learn about recruitment,” said Yael Rosen, a senior majoring in creative technologies and secretary of Chi Omega.

For more information about the Panhellenic 2025-2026 recruitment process, please visit Recruitment 2026 –Virginia Tech Panhellenic.

MORE THAN A MASK: HOW THE HOKIEBIRD AND CAVMAN BRING RIVALRY TO LIFE

Sophia Parisi | Lifestyles Contributor

Two mascots, decades of history and a rivalry defined by feathers, armor and school pride.

Mascots are one of the most integral aspects of any university, but to Virginia Tech and the University of Virginia, the connection runs deeper; the HokieBird and CavMan are at the heart of their communities.

Becoming the symbol for an entire student body doesn’t happen overnight. These mascots are no exception; their rise to fame dates back more than a century.

Before the introduction of any costumed mascot, a real turkey appeared at Virginia Tech football games from 1913 to 1929, after the athletes had been dubbed the Gobblers. As Tech was building its identity around the Gobbler, the University of Virginia was experimenting with its own mascots.

The first mascots to represent UVA were two dogs named Beta and Seal, whose reigns spanned from the 1920s to the 1940s. A series of students dressed as Cavaliers took the floor next, once in 1947 and then from 1963 to 1982.

The Gobbler came to life as a mascot in 1962 when a Tech student, Mercer McPherson, raised money with the help of his peers to create the costume. The turkey’s tail feathers were real, keeping a consistent turkey motif.

Tech’s cheer, “Old Hokie,” written by O.M. Stull in 1896, influenced the name switch from Gobblers to Hokies. So, Virginia Tech’s mascot eventually evolved into a 7-and-a-half-foot-tall suit with a long neck before the current HokieBird costume and name debuted in 1987. It has been the face of Virginia Tech athletics ever since.

In Charlottesville, the destined mascot’s path was less linear. In 1983, UVA introduced a now-infamous mascot: a fuzzy, orange creature named the ’Hoo. The ’Hoo was quickly booed out of the spotlight and replaced by the current CavMan mascot with its signature large-character head the following year. Though his essence remained unwavering, CavMan’s latest

model didn’t debut until the 2010s.

The CavMan known today may not have arrived on the scene until 1984, but the nickname “Cavaliers” has resonated with the University of Virginia for decades. Lawrence Haywood’s “The Cavalier Song” was selected in the College Topics as the winner of the fight song contest in 1923 and has played a role in UVA pride ever since.

Despite the deep Cavalier roots, the University of Virginia decided to introduce a brand-new mascot in 2010, a fuzzy horse named Sabre, creating a second ’Hoo debacle. Sabre’s unpopularity earned him a seat on the bench, and CavMan has remained the star ever since.

No matter the path taken, the HokieBird and CavMan are clearly here to stay. Their presence has left a lasting impact on the communities they’ve served.

Beyond their appearances, both mascots have distinct personalities that embody the spirit of their schools.

The HokieBird is friendly, playful and lights up every room. His presence alone boosts morale among the Hokie community in an unmatched manner.

Conversely, CavMan has a much stronger, more stoic personality. He was designed to mirror Superman as UVA’s very own strong superhero. CavMan and the HokieBird make frequent appearances at on-campus events, earning their role as adored celebrities.

One Hokie, Amy Wells, even published a book, “Pursuit: Learning Important Life Lessons As a Mascot,” detailing her experiences wearing the suit and how they’ve impacted her as a person. Students take great pride in bearing the costume of a beloved mascot like the HokieBird, an honor that CavMan’s suit wearers also share. For both schools, the mystery of who’s behind the mask adds to the magic.

Both Tech and UVA keep the identity of the HokieBird and CavMan

anonymous until the students graduate. Virginia Tech has a tradition where the HokieBirds are revealed at graduation by wearing the feet of the costume with their gown as they walk across the stage and receive their diploma.

The students inside the costumes are dedicated to bringing their mascots to life. The HokieBird is always busiest on game days, amping up Lane Stadium during “Enter Sandman.”

CavMan also gained attention for his now-retired pregame video series, “Adventures of CavMan,” where computer-generated images of himself and opposing mascots performed skits on the Scott Stadium screen.

During the Commonwealth Clash, CavMan and the HokieBird engage in friendly rivalry fun, stealing each other’s props, teasing each other and pretending to fight to amp up the crowd.

Those unable to watch the competition in person can get their fill of CavMan on his Instagram page where he shares his love for the Hoos, participating in trends and sharing updates from the Spirit Squad. The HokieBird also posts frequently on social media,

rallying Hokies to show school pride. Virginia Tech and UVA alumni alike treasure these memorable mascots from their alma mater. Between the HokieBird’s silly antics, CavMan’s strength and their thrilling moments together on the field, the Virginia–Virginia Tech rivalry wouldn’t be the same without these fan favorites.

WHY VIRGINIA TECH STUDENTS CHOSE VT BY CHOICE, NOT DEFAULT

Cleo Dobson | Lifestyles Contributor

When both acceptance letters arrive, some students still go maroon and orange. Here’s what pulled them to Tech.

The Virginia Tech and UVA rivalry is responsible for the origin of several statewide rumors, some begrudgingly true and others blatantly false. One common barb that University of Virginia students love to throw around is that Virginia Tech students only went to Virginia Tech because they couldn’t get into UVA.

UVA and VT pull from a lot of the same applicant pools, with 70.2% and 65.4% of their student bodies, respectively, being from Virginia. Therefore, one might make the connection that a lot of Virginia students apply to both universities.

However, Tech isn’t typically considered a “safety school,” and there are a lot of reasons that Tech is just as, if not more, appealing to applicants as UVA. Students who were admitted to both schools shared why they chose to spend their next four years in Blacksburg instead of Charlottesville.

Better for their major

Since UVA is more liberal arts-oriented and Virginia Tech is a polytechnic institute, comparing the two is like comparing apples and oranges. For example, while UVA is considered more prestigious and has a better liberal arts program, its engineering and agricultural majors fall short when compared to Virginia Tech’s high-quality programs.

“I chose Virginia Tech mainly because of my major,” said Charlotte Elliff, a freshman studying wildlife conservation.

This seemed to be the case for multiple students. One of the biggest differences between UVA and VT is the number of majors and minors the universities offer. UVA offers approximately 85 majors with a handful of other academic certificates and opportunities, while Virginia Tech offers over 150 majors and 130 minors across all disciplines. When choosing a school, students with more specialized majors tended to pick Virginia Tech because UVA either didn’t offer their major or offered a far less specialized program.

“I’m doing wildlife conservation,” Elliff continued. “At UVA, they just have environmental science, but here

they have an entire college for natural resources.”

Virginia Tech felt more down-to-earth

College visits are key in deciding if a school is the right fit because there are a lot of factors such as food, weather, dorm quality and attitude that can’t fully be portrayed online. College visits are also a good way to see if you’d get along with your potential graduating class.

“When I toured UVA, it seemed very pretentious, all the girls on my tour were wearing full Lululemon sets and the boys were wearing polo shirts, and I was like ‘this is a college tour, not a country club,’” Julia Allendoerfer, a freshman majoring in computational model data analytics, said. “One of my closest friends in high school is there now, and I understand the appeal, but it just wasn’t my vibe.”

Many of UVA’s traditions can be construed as pretentious, such as their refusal to call their campus anything except “The Grounds” and their “girls in pearls, guys in ties” uniform for football games. While this is the perfect fit for some people, many like the comfortable feel of Virginia Tech, where guys are more likely to wear orange and maroon bibs than suits.

Strong school spirit

Similar to the previous section, UVA prides itself on its longstanding traditions and history, while Virginia Tech’s school spirit is built into the foundation of the school’s culture. At VT, a Hokie isn’t just a mascot, it’s a way of life.

“I like the school spirit here. You always see people wearing Virginia Tech merch. Football games are crazy, we literally have a decibel meter for how loud it gets,” said Aaron Malone, a sophomore majoring in biological sciences.

While Tech’s football performance this year might cause some student bodies to lose faith in their team, nothing shakes a Hokie’s lifelong dedication to Virginia Tech and its seismic activity during “Enter Sandman.” Likewise, despite historically losing the Commonwealth Clash across all athletics, UVA students still shout “Fuck Tech” while singing the “Good Old

Song.”

“I’ve seen some UVA games and I don’t see anything like that when I’m watching,” Malone said.

Tech is less expensive

At the end of the day, the difference in cost between the schools is one of the biggest deciding factors. With no financial aid, one year for an in-state freshman at VT can range from $33,000 to $35,000, while an in-state freshman at UVA can pay anywhere from $40,000 to $53,000. The difference in price is even more extreme for an out-of-state student, with one year’s direct costs ranging from $80,000 to $93,000 at UVA compared to VT’s $55,000 to $58,000.

“When it came down to it, UVA is significantly more expensive. I think it’s about 10,000 dollars a year more, so the 40,000 dollars at the end of it all was not insignificant,” said sophomore Ianto Wooldridge. While UVA does offer substantial financial aid, some students would rather take the less expensive option.

In the end, UVA and Virginia Tech both have redeeming qualities, and there are

a lot of factors that impact a student’s decision to choose a school beyond just rejection from another. Spirit, academics, cost and attitude all play roles in the decision of what college to invest time, effort and money in.

VIRGINIA TECH’S TRANSPORTATION IS SUPERIOR TO UVA’S OPINIONS

Arnav Gupta | Opinions Contributor

Blacksburg Transit makes commuting simple and convenient, something that UVA lacks.

Having spent most of my life in car-centric, pedestrian-unfriendly suburban Northern Virginia, my favorite part about Virginia Tech quickly became how easy it is to get around, whether that means walking from my residence hall to class or getting through downtown Blacksburg with ease.

During my freshman year at VT, my sister was a senior and lived off-campus. It was about a 45-minute walk from Slusher Hall. During the summer, I walked to her apartment and got to know Blacksburg. But in the winter, to protect myself from the elements, I learned to ride Blacksburg Transit, our award-winning public transportation system, which cut my 45-minute walk by about a third. What stood out to me was how intuitive BT felt.

At the University of Virginia, it’s not as simple. Students rely on two different bus systems: the University Transit Service and the Charlottesville Area Transit. UTS primarily focuses on going around UVA Grounds while CAT is responsible for getting students to places beyond campus.

Unlike CAT, which operates Monday through Saturday, BT serves students

seven days a week. In comparison, systems like the ones used by UVA students don’t always offer that full-week flexibility, making errands or weekend trips more complicated. For example, at VT, many of my friends use the Two Town Trolley bus to go to Christiansburg to shop at different retailers, like Walmart or Target, to prepare for the upcoming week. If they plan to shop around Blacksburg, most will use the University City Boulevard bus to go to Kroger.

According to an article published in 2021, the goal for BT was that half of its fleet would be electric in three to four years. Each electric vehicle reduces carbon emissions by upwards of 50%. On the other hand, CAT currently doesn’t have a single electric vehicle in its fleet. Virginia Tech also features the Hokie Bike Hub, where students can fix, tune and learn about their bikes, making cycling more accessible. To my knowledge, there is no equivalent at UVA. If they want to give students real choices in how to get around campus, they aren’t doing a very good job.

When I started looking into parking policies, I noticed a pattern. I learned

that UVA doesn’t allow freshmen to park on Grounds unless they qualify under extraordinary circumstances. During my own freshman year at Virginia Tech, I didn’t have a car on campus, and honestly, I never felt like I was missing out. I spent so much time getting to know campus, going to different events and learning how to live semi-independently for the first time that I barely had time to think about what existed beyond the boundaries of campus. In that sense, I agree with the spirit of UVA’s decision. However policies such as this, no matter how well-spirited, restrict students’ choices.

Virginia Tech, on the other hand, gives students that choice. Whether you’re a freshman, senior or graduate student, you are allowed to purchase a parking pass. And that flexibility matters. Not everyone has the same family situation or the same travel needs. For example, one of my friends has had a parking pass for his truck since freshman year, which he brings along on camping trips.

Where both Virginia Tech and UVA fall behind is in their micromobility policies. Both universities allow students to own

electric scooters, e-skateboards and similar devices, but neither allows them to be brought inside or charged in residence halls. I understand that large lithium-ion batteries can pose risk, but there are reasonable solutions, such as requiring UL-certified batteries. The issue is that, while these devices have to stay outside, neither school provides enough covered storage to protect them from the elements. Based on what some UVA students have said online, the situation in Charlottesville isn’t much better.

Overall, getting around Charlottesville can feel like jumping through hoops on fire at a carnival, whether navigating two separate bus systems or dealing with overpriced parking. At Virginia Tech, students have real choices, whether it’s driving across campus or hopping on BT. Virginia Tech has built a transportation system designed with students in mind, while UVA hasn’t. @COLLEGIATETIMES

VIRGINIA TECH FOOTBALL FANDOM OUTRANKS UVA FANS

Livia Wenger | Opinions Columist

Even with an underwhelming performance, Hokie pride still outshines Cavalier pride.

During the tenure of Coach Brent Pry and the recent performance of the Virginia Tech football team that led to his dismissal early in the season, Lane Stadium has remained packed with students, alumni, family members and other fans. Lounge access tickets, season passes, individual tickets, sideline seats, tailgate reservations and a massive amount of merchandise have been purchased and thoroughly enjoyed this season and in previous ones by VT football fans.

One example of Hokie fan dedication during the 2025 football season took place during the Virginia Tech vs. California game on Oct. 24. The game went into overtime when the Hokies managed to snag a last-minute touchdown, which brought them to a 27-27 tie with the California Golden Bears. In the first overtime session, both teams scored an additional touchdown, bringing the score to 34-34 and calling for a second overtime. The game finally ended with eight points scored by the Hokies and zero from the Golden Bears, gaining a third win of the season for Virginia Tech.

game has to do with the absolute frigid temperature of 36 degrees, combined with wind, and the fact that the game extended past 11 p.m. with two overtime sessions. Despite this, the stadium still contained just as many fans as would be expected during a second quarter on a warmer day.

or the competition, there remains a high turnout of fans ready to cheer on the Hokies, no matter what the weather, time of day, or trajectory of the current and past seasons.

Something so astonishing about this

When taking a closer look at the overall performance of the Hokies versus the University of Virginia Cavaliers for the 2025 football season, it can be seen that, as a whole, the Virginia Tech football fandom is strongest. Whatever the performance of the team, the coach,

According to VT’s and UVA’s respective football sites, the average home game attendance for the 2025 football season so far has been 58,998 fans for Virginia Tech and 47,100 fans for UVA. Each team has hosted six home games at this point in the season. A more detailed collection of home football game attendance numbers for the 2025 continued on page 7

continued from page 6

season for both universities can be found in this statistics spreadsheet. It can be seen that the Virginia Tech fan base remains strong despite the overall season score of 3-6 for the Hokies when compared to the 8-2 season score for the Cavaliers. Additionally, when taking into consideration the capacity for each university’s football stadiums,

the information provided makes an even stronger case. Lane Stadium has a capacity of 65,632 fans, while UVA’s Scott Stadium has a capacity of 61,500 fans. While Virginia Tech has sold out tickets for two home games this season, UVA has yet to fill its stadium to capacity this season, despite its winning streak. Not only is Virginia Tech strong when it comes to fan turnout, but we’re

also strong in our football traditions. According to Hokie Sports, USA Today recently ranked the “Enter Sandman” tradition as one of the top 10 college football traditions in the nation, placing Virginia Tech at number three. Interestingly enough, UVA was nowhere to be found on this list, despite holding its own traditions.

We will let the numbers speak for

themselves when we say that even if the Hokies struggle during a season, their fans will always flock to Lane Stadium to jump to Metallica’s “Enter Sandman” and cheer on their home team as they take the field.

A COMPARISON OF ACADEMIC CULTURE: VIRGINIA TECH AND UVA

Emily Urda | Opinions Contributor

Both reputations and academics make the Commonwealth rivalry prosper.

The University of Virginia’s history goes back further than Virginia Tech’s, with its founding father, Thomas Jefferson, establishing the university in 1819. VT’s motto, “Ut Prosim” (That I May Serve), and UVA’s “Walk with honor, lead to serve” are hallmarks of the different cultures and traditions of each university.

Virginia Tech is more hands-on with a problem-solving approach, which is in contrast with UVA’s more liberal education and focus on theoretical sciences. This hands-on approach can be attributed to the Corps of Cadets having been the original student body. UVA’s culture can be attributed to American intellectualism and Jeffersonian Ideals.

When comparing academics, mission and culture, it becomes apparent that Virginia Tech and UVA provide equally strong, but distinct education and experiences. The real gap lies in perception regarding prestige, not actual merit.

The academics of the schools are notable for their strengths in different fields. At VT, engineering is the most well-known program, but agricultural sciences, architecture and business are also highly ranked. In contrast, UVA has a tilt toward the humanities. Its top colleges include the well-regarded McIntire School of Commerce, pre-law and psychology programs.

Regardless of major rankings, each school has strong professors. At UVA, 84% of students believe that their professors put forth a good effort when teaching, and 82% at Virginia Tech. The academic differences between these schools appear negligible through these statistics, so why is one school seen as more prestigious?

Numbers and rankings tell a story that isn’t reflective of what it’s really like to attend these schools. The communities of Virginia Tech and UVA attract different students.

Kirsten Womack, a sophomore at UVA studying mechanical engineering, highlights why she chose UVA over VT.

“I think that everyone has their own place, but I really could not see myself anywhere but Charlottesville,” Womack said. “I’ve visited many friends at other schools once in college, and each time I leave I find myself anxious to return to what — in my unbiased opinion — is the greatest college around.”

Despite Virginia Tech being an obvious choice for many students studying engineering, Womack chose UVA because she felt it was her home.

Cam Porter, a senior at Virginia Tech majoring in biochemistry, describes their experiences with the community and academics.

“The academic culture here is super strong,” Porter said. “There’s a sort of camaraderie among students and a strong desire to support each other through our academic ventures and push each other to be the best we can be.”

Community is a key factor in academic success and the overall student experience. School spirit provides confidence and a feeling of belonging, which leaves a lasting impact. Each testimonial is evidence that prestige isn’t the source of academic success; the sense of belonging is.

Stephen Wells, a 1973 UVA alumnus, declares the university’s history of an elitist and preppy student body.

“The fraternal-elitist culture that I never subscribed to and fought against in my year as E-I-C (of The Cavalier Daily) no longer dominates the environment, but is just a small part of it,” Wells said.

Wells fought back on fraternal elitist culture, which seems to be a crux at certain prestigious institutions. Exclusivity and elitism make universities appear prestigious, but they don’t define quality.

When examining UVA and Virginia Tech,

it should be noted how history has shaped these schools’ reputations. UVA, like many American universities, was built during a period in which higher education was restricted to wealthy white men. Prestige was manufactured through exclusion, not academic superiority.

Student experiences have created real value. The differences between UVA and VT are characterized by wealth, history and selectivity. These characteristics distort student values. This is not an issue between just these colleges, but among other schools often seen as top of the barrel.

Oftentimes, students judge a school based on acceptance rate, public perception and prestige. The college process has led to an insurmountable amount of stress that continues to grow for each graduating class of high school students. So-called elite institutions somehow become even more exclusive,

highlighting the gap between image and academic integrity.

Ultimately, the rivalry between UVA and Virginia Tech has only strengthened both schools academically. This comparison provokes an idea regarding the meaning of intellectualism and whether it’s been distorted by perceptions of prestige. These perceptions have detracted from academic values, overshadowing the fundamental purpose of higher education: To promote critical thinking and invoke diverse discourse, not merely to gain access to a “different table.”

VOLLEYBALL SQUEAKS BY DUKE

Alex Winn | Sports Staff Writer

The win was Virginia Tech’s five-set win of the season.

On Thursday, the Hokies picked up their first win since Oct. 31, led by Elizabeth Aylward and Isabella Mishler in a riveting five-set match.

Virginia Tech (11-15, 3-12 ACC) won a sloppy back-and-forth match against Duke (5-21, 2-13 ACC), highlighted by 81 total errors between both teams.

The first set had 17 ties and five lead changes. Neither team cinched momentum, paving the way for a tight finish to the set. A pair of outside hitters were the focal points for each school’s offense: Aylward for Tech, who had five kills in the set, and outside hitter Ashby Zubchevich for Duke, who had nine kills. Errors dictated the first set, with both teams combining for 22 errors in set one. Tech’s length at the net helped force errors from the Duke attack. Mishler dominated this effort, playing a role in four of five Hokie blocks in the set. A blocked shot by Reese Hazelton and Mishler finished the set in Tech’s favor 29-27 in bonus points.

The second set began similarly, with a back-and-forth between the schools. Duke

scored first on a service ace from outside hitter Taylor Williams. The points would then ping pong between the Devils and Hokies, leading to a 6-5 Tech lead and five different ties. Then, Duke ran away with the set, going on a 9-0 run and winning the set handily, 25-18. At one point during the run, Williams tallied four straight kills. The Hokies had no answer for the Blue Devils’ offensive attack despite winning the battle of blocks in the set, 2.0-0.0.

The third set kicked off differently. The Hokies dominated this set despite a late Duke rally. Tech started the set on a 5-0 run, prompting a Duke timeout to try and halt the Hokies’ mighty start. The Hokies kept their foot on the gas and grew the lead to 15-5 Virginia Tech on a service ace from libero Ivy Cooper, which produced another Blue Devils timeout.

This time, the timeout worked in their favor, slowing down the Tech offense. The Blue Devils went on a 12-3 run to cut the lead to 22-20 Hokies. Errors by the Hokies were the catalyst for this Duke run; six of the 12 points

scored in the run came off errors by Virginia Tech. The Hokies prevailed, fighting off the Duke run and winning the set, 25-22, on a service ace by Cooper.

The trend continued in the fourth set. The set got out to a 5-5 tie. The start of the set was a sloppy one for both sides, with 14 of the first 20 points in the set being errors. The Blue Devils capitalized on 13 errors committed by the Virginia Tech offense to win the set 25-20. Duke totaled 14 kills in the set to Tech’s five. Duke’s commanding win in the set forced a winner-take-all fifth set.

Both teams came into Thursday’s match without a five-set match win all season, Tech was 0-3 and Duke was 0-1. Virginia Tech started the fifth set hot, getting out to a 5-1 lead. Payton Woods tallied two kills in the run. Duke responded, tying the set at 7-7 with help from their middle blocker, Ngozi Iloh, who totaled three kills and capped the Duke run to make the score 7-7 on a kill. The teams exchanged points until Duke took a 10-8 lead, and Tech had no choice but to call a timeout.

The break helped the Hokies recuperate

and tie the game up at 14-14 after a service error from Duke. Aylward then handed the Hokies the victory on back-to-back kills in what was a career night for Aylward. Virginia Tech won the set, 16-14, and the match, 3-2.

Virginia Tech and Duke looked equally matched on Thursday, but it was Virginia Tech, with help from Aylward and Mishler, that took home an ACC victory. The Hokies relied heavily on their net presence, tallying nine total blocks, six of which were assisted on by Mishler. Duke relied on their young outsider hitters, Zubchevich and Williams, who combined for 37 kills.

The Hokies travel to North Carolina next to play the No. 15 Tar Heels on Nov. 16 at 1 p.m. ET. Virginia Tech volleyball returns to Cassell after that to host its final homestand of the season against Wake Forest, NC State and Notre Dame.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL ROLLS TO 3-0 WITH WIN OVER GARDNER-WEBB

With an 87-51 home win over Gardner-Webb Thursday night, Virginia Tech delivered second-year head coach Megan Duffy her first 3-0 start with the Hokies.

Gardner-Webb (0-4) came into Blacksburg as a tremendous underdog. Both offenses started slowly for the first few minutes of the game with various missed shots. However, by the end of the first quarter, Tech grabbed the momentum and never looked back.

Sophomore guard Samyha Suffren led the Hokies’ charge, coming off the bench to earn a career-high 17 points while logging the second-most minutes for Tech. It was an impressive performance considering her season-ending shoulder injury a year ago.

“Samyha has been through a lot with the injury,” Duffy said. “I thought this was the first evening where she just looked like herself, and she played a little more free.”

Another standout was senior forward

Kilah Freelon. The Texas Tech transfer made an immediate impact in the season opener against Towson, achieving a double-double. However, she suffered a late concussion that caused her to sit out the next game. Upon her return to action Thursday, she achieved another double-double, accumulating 12 points and 18 rebounds.

“I don’t necessarily aim to have a doubledouble,” Freelon said. “I more so aim to help my teammates in any way that I can, whether that’s running the floor, rebounding the ball … I feel like with all their encouragement, it has helped me get to the point of doing double-doubles.”

“She looked like Tigger from Winnie the Pooh,” Duffy said. “She’s just bouncing around and trying to make plays for teammates.”

Virginia Tech acquired 54 rebounds total, doubling that of Gardner-Webb.

“As a team, we were really locked into our rebounding,” Duffy said. “Gardner-Webb plays zone for near 40 minutes, and so it’s hard sometimes to have those perfect block outs. So we really just emphasize — not only Kilah, but the whole team — trying to find those pockets to rebound and get extra possessions.”

Newcomer Mel Daley had her best game with the Hokies since she arrived from Northwestern. The graduate guard scored 14 points and only missed one of seven shots from the field.

In total, six newcomers played 75 combined minutes. Virginia Tech’s significant late-game lead allowed Špela Brecelj, a freshman from Slovenia, to step onto the court. She landed a three to earn the first points of her collegiate career.

Guard Carleigh Wenzel and forward Carys Baker also tallied 12 and 10 points,

respectively, demonstrating the team’s offensive versatility.

Tech significantly improved its turnover rate compared to its last time out, cutting it in half from 16 to eight. The Hokies gave up just four in the game’s first 35 minutes.

One concern, however, was success beyond the arc. Tech only made eight three-pointers in 34 attempts. Duffy wasn’t distressed by the stat line, stating they “want to win in different types of ways.”

The Hokies have a quick turnaround before their next home game against Coastal Carolina, which takes place Nov. 15 at 2 p.m. on ACC Network Extra.