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The Corner: Soccer and Volleyball Updates. Swim Wins Tri-Meet. Fall Women's Sports Roll

Michael Turner·October 30, 2026

The Corner is the premier home of Virginia Tech women’s sports. October is heavy month with a signiicant number of major sporting events at both the varsity and club level. Get to know the women's teams, the action from last week, and upcoming games. We will update this article as we learn more about the happenings over the past weekend, but let's take a deep dive into Hokie women's sports!

Note: The Virginia Tech Women's Soccer team earned a 3-2 win over Boston College on Thursday night. That game will be covered in next week's Corner.

VIRGINIA TECH WOMEN’S SOCCER FALTERS AT THE END AGAINST WAKE FOREST, THEN TIES CLEMSON

WAKE FOREST IS TOO MUCH, TOO CLINICAL IN WIN OVER VIRGINIA TECH

Virginia Tech women’s soccer welcomed the No. 4 nationally ranked Wake Forest Demon Deacons to Thompson Field in Blacksburg for a Friday night ACC tilt. The Deacs were coming over a win over No. 1 ranked North Carolina.

The match was going to be a tall task for Virginia Tech from the beginning. Unfortunately, Wake Forest struck early.

Barely 5 minutes into the match, a Wake throw-in deep in Hokie territory found the foot of defender Bella Ganiere, who attempted to clear the ball. Wake’s Kaitlin Sasadeusz intercepted the clearance and sent a pass that Tech’s Eliana Salama jumped on and also unsuccessfully tried to clear. The Demon Deacons sent a cross right in front of goal that Wake’s Allie Flanagan found and directed past goalkeeper Julianna Trujillo to give Wake an early 1-0 lead.

Wake moved the ball patiently and efficiently, pressuring Virginia Tech’s defense. In addition, Wake seemed to be on nearly every Hokie pass.

Nevertheless, Virginia Tech found opportunities to attack. At the 6 minute mark, Elle Robertson cut off a Demon Deacon pass and sent a long ball down the right side to Anna Weir. The senior forward drove deep into the Wake forest and dropped a pass to Salama in the middle. Salama took a touch to her right and unleashed a shot on goal that goalkeeper Valentina Amaral corralled.

In the 20th minute, midfielder Peyton May took the ball off the foot of a Wake player and moved the ball to the wing to Salama, who drove in and sent a pass to Weir into the box. Weir had a brilliant look on goal, but her shot was just high.

With 5 minutes left in the half, the Hokies worked the ball out of their end to Salama, who once again raced down the side. She passed to Weir in the box again, but her shot attempt was blocked. Robertson pounced on the rebound and drove a screamer toward goal. Unfortunately, her shot ricocheted off the post.

Tech had more chances off consecutive corner kicks in the waning minutes of the half. However, Wake Forest’s Allie Flanagan poked a clearance past a Hokie defender, counterattacked downfield with two defenders chasing before placing the ball past Trujillo in the upper left corner of the net.

Trailing 2-1 to start the second half, Virginia Tech had several opportunities to make connections that could really threaten Wake Forest as Weir was on the receiving end of long passes; however, she found herself without a running mate. For example, she got a pass that she won the header for and flicked it ahead, but there was no target with her.

Finally, Weir brought the Hokies back with 2-1 five minutes into the second half. Roberton moved the ball into Wake’s half of the field before giving the ball up to Weir. Weir sent a pass wide to Salama, who delivered a cross right back into the box Weir, who touched the ball past the goalkeeper into the net for her career-high eighth goal of the season to pull Virginia Tech within one.

Video from this post on X — October 23, 2026 · View on X

Virginia Tech found itself in position to and capable of creating an equalizing goal, but could not finish. Then disaster hit as Wake Forest caught the Hokies in counterattacks.

May had her hand struck by the ball as Wake delivered a strike into the box. Virginia Tech challenged the hand-ball call, but it was upheld as her hand was in a natural position. Wake’s Sierra Scythe put home the penalty kick straight away to put the Demon Deacons up 3-1. A few minutes later, Flanagan drew a foul on Virginia Tech in the box for another penalty kick. She finished into the net, sealing the 4-1 win for Wake Forest.

While Wake Forest was the more complete team, the final 4-1 score is misleading. The Virginia Tech women went toe-to-toe with the No. 4 team in the country and were within one goal of tying the Demon Deacons late in the match. Unfortunately, the Hokies could not find the equalizer before Wake Forest broke open the game with those penalty kicks.

Match Notes:

The Hokies came out of the game with a 6-5-4 overall record and 2-4-1 in the ACC.
Virginia Tech outshot Wake Forest, 17-13 overall, but especially in the second half.
Tech had 7 corner kicks to Wake’s 4. Hokie coach Chugger Adair had said pre-game that the Hokies needed to be better on corner kicks, but they could not find the net.
Anna Weir scored her eighth goal of the season, a career high.
Eliana Salama notched her eighth assist of the year, tied for first in the ACC.

Watch Coach Chugger Adair’s post-game interview with the Virginia Tech Sports Media staff

THE HOKIES GAIN A POINT IN TIE WITH CLEMSON

The Hokies had to shake off the loss to Wake Forest as they hosted the Clemson Tigers this past Sunday. Both teams created opportunities early on.

Three minutes in, Tech’s Bella Ganier possessed the ball on the left side, made a move inside, and then passed to Peyton May. The midfielder slid the ball in the middle to Anna Weir, who hit a through ball ahead through two defenders to a streaking Eliana Salama. As the goalkeeper came out to challenge her, Salama launched the ball over the keeper, but the ball hit the upright.

Three minutes later, Clemson moved the ball through Tech’s defense and got a shot off right above the ball. Tech goalkeeper Juliana Trujillo made a diving catch to her left to preserve the shutout.

The first half ended without either team breaking through, but Virginia Tech came out of the break on the front foot.

Ellie Robertson delivered two crosses in a row at the 33rd minute mark of the second half. Clemson cleared the first one only to have Virginia Tech jump on the loose ball. The second cross deflected off a Clemson player, and Clemson goalkeeper Nona Reason secured the loose ball.

Reason rolled the ball out into the middle. As a Clemson player tapped the ball back to a teammate, Tech’s Gabby Ciocca pounced on the ball, made a move past a defender, and launched a volley past Reason into the net. Ciocca’s fourth goal of the year gave the Hokies a 1-0 lead!

Clemson had a chance at an equalizer at the 28-minute mark. Clemson possessed the ball above the box. Tech’s Lili Lubic blocked a shot attempt, but the ball found Clemson’s Jolie Jenkins, who sent a cross to the opposite side of the field. Sadie Peterson sent the ball past Trujillo, but freshman Celine Kampman saved the score. Virginia Tech could not clear the ball, and Clemson’s Carla Small got the ball right above the box for a clear shot on goal. Trujillo dove left, barely getting her right hand on the ball to punch away the attempt.

Over the next ten minutes, Virginia Tech threatened to extend its lead. Lily Pantaleo slid a pass to Weir, who didn’t take a touch and launched the ball in the direction of the goal. Adair has talked during the season about greater patience and simplicity in the final third from his forwards: had Weir taken a touch and moved into the box or pushed the ball to Salama flashing into the box, her chance of a score would likely have been greater.

At the 20-minute mark, Tech defenders cleared the ball and sent the ball to Salama, who dropped a pass to Weir. Salama cut across in front of Weir and got a return pass, but her shot was off on the left side of the goal.

Clemson began to gain momentum late in the match. With 14 minutes remaining, Dani Davis got a direct through traffic that forced Trujillo to make a diving save. Four minutes later, Clemson tried to move the ball around a crowd and tried to take advantage of the chaos in the middle of the Tech box. Trujillo once again got her hands on the shot that Tech had to clear out of bounds.

The flurry of activity paid off for Clemson as it earned a corner that found the ground in a crowd in front of goal. Peyton May got a foot on it to clear, but Jenkins delivered a cross that Reese Klein headed into the back of the net for the equalizer.

Virginia Tech, in contrast, was unable to finishseveral chances that could have given it the winning goal. With over four minutes left in the match, Salama went down the sideline and passed into Weir, who shanked the ball wide of goal. A minute later, Weir earned another corner kick for the Hokies, their eighth of the game, but May’s header fell to the goalkeeper. Overall, Virginia Tech had the better play over the game but could not produce the winning goal despite multiple chances. The Hokies, now 6-5-5 and 2-4-2 in the ACC on the season, had to settle for the 1-1 tie, but did gain 1 pt to move into a tie with Boston College for 12th place in the ACC standings.

Match Notes:

Both teams had many opportunities as Clemson edged out the Hokies in goals, 16-15. Clemson had 10 shots on goal to Tech’s 5
Goalkeeper Julianna Trujillo made a career high 8 saves.
Gabby Ciocca scored her 4th goal of the season.

Watch Coach Adair's post-game comments

Next Up: The Virginia Tech Women’s Soccer continues its homestand with a Thursday, October 29 game against the Boston College Eagles. The game is this Thursday, at 7:00, and will be streamed on ACCNX. Update: The Hokies won 3-2. Stay tuned for coverage in next week's Corner.

VIRGINIA TECH VOLLEYBALL FALLS TO BOSTON COLLEGE BUT RALLIES AGAINST SYRACUSE

Playing inspired volleyball that resulted in a sweep of UVA in their last match, the Virginia Tech volleyball team showed what it was capable of. A road trip to two teams with the worst records in the ACC presented an opportunity for Virginia Tech to get on a roll.

VIRGINIA TECH IS MISTAKE PRONE IN 3-0 SWEEP BY BOSTON COLLEGE, 18-25, 24-26, 22-25

The Hokies began the road trip with a match against Boston College but laid an egg in Chestnut HIll. Cliches are often lazy analysis, but that cliche that they were not ready seems apt.

Virginia Tech and Boston College went back and forth early in the first set. Kills by Reese Hazelton and sophomore Georgia Trexler and a service error by the Eagles helped Tech forge a 3-3 tie. Three straight Tech mistakes - a set error, service error, and attack error - allowed the Eagles to re-extend their lead to 6-3.

The Hokies clawed back within two points off a kill by Frances Torres, but Boston College pushed its lead out to five points at 11-6 because of another Tech service error and two straight set errors.

Errors became the pattern of the match. Virginia Tech fought back several times behind kills from Hazelton, Torres, and Destiny Walker, but too many errors killed Tech’s momentum and allowed Boston College to extend its lead to 21-13. The Hokies tried to rally, but the gap was too much to overcome, with Boston College taking the first set 25-18.

The teams battled back and forth in the second set. With the score tied 9-9, the Hokies pulled ahead by 3 points behind a kill by Hazelton and two attack errors by Boston College. However, two kills by the Eagles and hitting error by the Hokies tied the match up again at 12-12.

The back-and-forth continued until Virginia Tech found itself down 22-19. A kill and a service ace by Hazelton and another kill by Walker brought the Hokies back from the brink, tying the match at 22-22.

Twice, Virginia Tech had a one-pointed lead, with an opportunity to serve for the set at 24-23. Boston College, however, delivered a block, a kill, and a service ace to overtake the Hokies and take a 2-0 match lead.

Needing a win in the third set to extend the match, Virginia Tech’s Hazelton once again delivered a kill and a service ace to pull the Hokies within 5-4. Two long rallies in a row ending in Boston College kills and a Tech error gave the Eagles a 8-4 advantage.

The Hokies made plays but, every time Tech scored a point, Boston College had a response as it pushed its lead to 14-8. Torres and Walker both had kills, but the Hokies could not sustain the push, allowing the Eagles to move to 20-12

Virginia Tech mounted a furious comeback, with Isabella Mishler providing a kill, Isabella Lopez and Walker delivering two kills apiece, and Hazelton dropping in a service ace to bring the Hokies within 24-22. Boston College ended Tech’s rally, scoring the final point via a kill to win the set, 25-22, and earn the sweep over the Hokies.

The Hokies deserve praise for their efforts in fighting back in every set, despite the final outcome. However, they had too many errors, including poor timing on sets to hitters and flubs into the net. Indeed, the Hokies had 13 hitting errors and 9 service errors - 29% of Boston College points came from Virginia Tech errors.

In addition, middle Mishler was underused. She has the highest kill percentage on the team at .303 and is fourth on the team with 115 kills on the season. She hit .300 against Boston College, but only had 3 kills as Tech typically opted to go to the outside hitters or the back row attack. Virginia Tech needs to find a way to be more efficient in its hitting game in order to take the next step as a program, and targeting Mishler more could help with that growth.

Match Notes:

Destiny Walker led the team with 11 kills on a .207 hitting percentage. She also had 4 digs.
Reese Hazelton contributed in a variety of ways. She was second on the team with 7 kills and a .174 hitting percentage. She also led the team with 4 service aces and 11 digs.
Frances Torres contributed 5 kills (.053), Isabella Lopez delivered 2 (.400), and Adeline Hundl made 1 kill (.250).
Isabella Mishler delivered 3 kills for a .300 hitting percentage.
Sophomore Georgia Tresler made her season debut and provided 2 digs (.167),
Ivy Cooper tied Hazelton for the team lead with 11 digs. Frances Torres had 7 digs.
Camilla Brandalisse had a team high 28 assists.

VIRGINIA TECH COMES BACK FROM THE BRINK TO DEFEAT SYRACUSE IN 5 SETS - 23-25, 25-16, 22-25, 26-24, 15-11

Virginia Tech continued its road trip with a stop in Syracuse to take on the Orange. Syracuse won its first ACC conference game in 12 months this Friday when it defeated Virginia. The Orange had lost 10 straight ACC matches dating back to October 24, 2025 in which it had not won more than one set in any match during that stretch. Indeed, Syracuse sat in a two-way tie for last place in the ACC with Notre Dame this season.

Just like the Boston College contest, Virginia Tech’s match against the Orange was a great situation for the Hokies to get back on track.

Just the Boston College match, the Hokies looked destined to fall further into the basement of the ACC.

Both teams, beset by committing service errors and attack errors, battled back and forth in the first set. With the score tied at 18-18, Syracuse started to pull away. A kill down the line off a Hokie hand and two consecutive Syracuse blocks allowed the Orange to move ahead 21-18 and force a Virginia Tech timeout. The two teams exchanged points putting the match at 23-19 before Tech’s Adeline Hundl slammed a kill that deflected out of bounds off of Syracuse and Isabella Mishler put up a block to bring the Hokies within 23-21

After a Syracuse timeout, Frances Torres served into the net to make it 24-31. While Virginia Tech was briefly able to stave off two set points with active defense, a block by Tech landed out of bounds to give the first set to Syracuse, 25-23.

The Hokies responded in the second set. Camilla Brandalise led off the set with a service ace and got multiple hitters involved in the offense early. Adeline Hundl was targeted more, delivering two kills whereas Reese Hazelton and Destiny Walker had a kill each. In addition, two blocks by combinations of Hundl, Walker, and Georgia Trexler helped Virginia Tech build an 8-1 lead.

Even when Syracuse started to put together points, Hundl, Waker, and Misher delivered kills to extend the margin to 16-7. Syracuse fought back to close to within 19-12, but a monster block by Mishler halted any Orange momentum to make it 20-12. Still, Syracuse would not go away: the Orange delivered a service ace and a kill while Tech committed yet another service error and could not get the ball to stay inbounds, allowing Syracuse to close to within five points at 21-16.

Virginia Tech once again halted Syracuse’s run with a Hazelton ace and two straight massive blocks, including one by Hazelton and Georgia Trexler to end the set at 25-16.

Syracuse built an early 7-1 lead in the third set on the basis of several efficient kills, an attack error by Tech, and two consecutive blocks by the Orange. After a Virginia Tech timeout, the Hokies began to rally. They went on a 8-2 run by kills from Walker and Mishler, as well as blocks from Hazelton, Walker, and Mishler.

Syracuse responded to push its lead out again to 14-19 as Tech was unable to put together quality hits, leading to Orange kills.

Virginia Tech recovered to pull into a 16-16 tie. Walker and Hazelton had kills, while Tech also benefitted from Syracuse’s mistakes. The Hokies even took a 2-point lead at 18-16 after two straight Orange attack errors. The back-and-forth between the teams, however, continued as Syracuse used a 3-0 to pull ahead, aided by another service error by Tech.

Frances Torres and Hazelton ripped off kills to give Virginia Tech a 22-21 lead before Syracuse used an ace and a block to take the set 25-22 and a 2-1 set advantage in the match.

Pivotal Fourth Set Brings the Hokies Back from the Brink

The fourth set was pivotal for the Hokies. With the score 6-5, Syracuse began to pull away. A back row kill by the Orange, a hit too long by Hazelton, and a block on Torres hitting from the back row made it 9-5 in favor of Syracause. Virginia Tech then allowed a serve to drop in front of the back line to extend the lead to 10-5. The Hokies did not call a time out to stop Syracuse’s momentum.

After a Mishler hit off the block stopped Syracuse’s streak, Syracuse tipped the ball to a wide open middle, and Tech committed an untimely service error to make it 11-7. Sets were problematic, forcing the hitters to adjust. Trexler recovered enough from a poor set to deliver a kill, but the timing of a set to Hundl resulted in an easy block and 14-9 Syracuse advantage.

Long serves, long hits, and blocks off Tech players continued the slide for the Hokies, leaving them facing a 18-11 deficit and a pending loss.

The Anatomy of a Comeback:

While they sometimes made it difficult for themselves, the Hokies began to rally

Reese Hazelton scored from the back row off a block by Syracuse, score 12-18.
Hazelton had to just loft the ball over the net after a scramble, score 13-18.
Virginia Tech committed its 13th service error of the match, score 13-19.
Hazelton again scored off a block, score 14-19.
Syracuse put down a strike when the Hokies were slow to move, score 14-20.
Camilla Brandalise dumped the ball over to make it 15-20.
Brandalise dropped a serve off the net that found the floor, score 16-20.
Adeline Hundl delivered a crossing hit into the middle to make it 17-20.
Another service error by Tech made it 17-21.
Two straight kills by Hazelton and Frances Torres brought the Hokies within two at 19-21.
Hazelton served up an ace to make 20-21, and then Hundl tied the set up at 21-21 with a devastating swing.

The teams exchanged leads and set points before a wide shot by Syracuse allowed the Hokies to complete their comeback and remain alive with a 26-24 win.

With new life, Virginia Tech took control in the fifth set. Trexler delivered a kill to stake Tech to a 2-0 lead. The teams hung close, but the Hokies were able to establish a narrow lead that held up. Every time Syracuse scored, the Hokies responded to maintain the narrow gap. With the score tied at 10-10, Virginia Tech ripped off a 5-1 run that featured a couple of kills off tips to give Tech the set, 15-11, and the match in five sets.

Match Notes:

The Hokies had 56 kills in the match.
Reese Hazelton and Adeline Hundl led the Hokies with 14 kills apiece.
Destiny Walker contributed 13 kills and earned a double-double, her fifth of the season, with 14 digs.
Isabella Mishler had 6 kills while Georgia Trexler had 5 kills and a .308 hitting percentage.
Frances Torres had 3 kills but also had 10 digs on defense.
Ivy Cooper also had double digit kills with 10 while Reese Hazelton and Camilla Brandalise each added 9 digs.
Camilla Brandalise also led the team with 48 assists.

Up Next: Virginia Tech, now 6-13 and 3-7 in the ACC, returns to Blacksburg to face Florida State in Blacksburg, VA on Friday, October 31 at 6:00 pm and then Miami on Sunday, November 1 at 12:30. Both matches will be streamed on ACCNX.

VIRGINIA TECH WOMEN’S SWIMMING AND DIVING WINS QUEENS TRI-MEET IN CHARLOTTE AND UPSETS NO. 19 DUKE

The Virginia Tech Women’s Swimming and Diving team traveled to Charlotte, NC to take on Florida Gulf Coast, Queens University, and Tennessee in a Tri-Meet format on Friday, October 23.

The Hokies went undefeated in team scores: They earned wins over Queens, 189-85, and over Florida Gulf Coast, 190-90. In addition, Virginia Tech defeated members of No. 4 ranked Tennessee, 171-92.

The women earned first place finishes in six events:

Alexandra Hrncarova - 50 Freestyle - 22.64

Eliza Tan - 100 Freestyle - 4924

Emily Santos - 100 Breaststroke - 1:01.36

Chiara Klein - 200 Freestyle - 1:47.95

Michayla Eisenberg - 1 Meter Dive (282.05) and 3 Meter Dive (286.90)

They collected second place finishes in nine events.and third place scores in eight events.

The Hokie Women Upset No. 19 Duke

The Hokes competed against the No. 19 Duke Blue Devils on Sunday, October 24 and won, 134-109, in an upset.

Virginia Tech had four first place finishes:

Alexandra Hrnacarova - 50 Freestyle - 22.68

Emily Santos - 100 Freestyle - 1:01.56

Amanda Barnard - 200 Butterfly - 2:01.16

Noa Martin - 1000 Freestyle - 9:56.14

The Hokies collected second place finishes in six events and third place finishes in five events.

UPDATES: Audrey Deras competed in the USA Swimming SCM World Trials starting October 28 in Westmont, Illinois. She set a new Salvadoran national record in the 200 Breaststroke with a 2:32.43 time.

Up Next: The team will welcome North Carolina to a meet in Christiansburg, Virginia on November 5.

WOMEN’S GOLF SECURES RUNNER UP SPOT AT THE KESWICK CUP WITH THREE GOLFERS IN TOP 10

The 23rd ranked Virginia Tech Women’s Golf team wrapped up its fall schedule with the 1-day, 36- hole Keswick Cup on Monday, October 26 in Keswick, Virginia. The course is a par 72 and included top-ranked players and teams from the host Virginia, William & Mary, Longwood, Richmond, Cincinnati, Bucknell, Radford, and Jacksonville State.

The host, 4th ranked Virginia, won the event with a 25-under 551 (280-271), but the Hokies finished in second with a -1 under 575 (293-282). Three Virginia Tech players finished in the top 10, led by Xin Yao Wang.

121st ranked Xin Yao Wang finished in a tie for fourth with a 2-under 142 (73-69)

Racquel Walker finished in a tie for sixth after scoring an even-par 144. Her -5 under second round of 67 was the second best score of the round, just two shots behind UVA’s Miranda Lu.

No. 6 ranked Val Delon finished eighth with a 1-over 145 (72-73).

Emily Matthews finished in a tie for fourteenth with a 3-over 147 (74-73).

Savannah Dupre scored a 5-over 149 (74-75) to finish tied for seventeenth.

Emerson Dever finished in a tie for twenty-seventh with an 8-over 152 (76-76).

Olivia Melnecke tied for thirty seventh with a 13-over 157 (82-75). Her +3 performance in the second round was a huge finish for her.

Up Next: Virginia Tech wrapped up its fall season and will compete next in the College Invitational in Guadalajara, Mexico from January 29-30.

VIRGINIA TECH SOFTBALL PLAYS FALL BALL GAMES AGAINST GMU

The Virginia Tech Softball team traveled to Fairfax, Virginia to play two fall games against George Mason University on Saturday, October 24. The fall games are exhibition games aimed at developing players and preparing for the regular season in the spring.

Hokies Held Hitless Through Five. Gabby Mizelle Rocks a 2-Run Home Run to Win Game One

The starting lineup for the first game against George Mason included Mia Gagliardi at catcher and Tegan Tripp in right field amongst the primary starters from last season. Grace Swedarsky got the start for the Hokies.

Swedarsky allowed a walk in the first inning before striking out the next batter and inducing a double play to get out of the inning.

The Hokie offense was quiet for several innings, going hitless through the first five innings with mostly grounders and quiet outs.

Avery Layton came on in the bottom of the fifth inning to pitch and hit a batter before striking out two batters sandwiched around a fielder’s choice.

Virginia Tech’s offense showed signs of life in the top of the sixth inning when Emma Mazzarone got on base. Lyla Blackwell pinch ran for her and made it to third on a steal-wild pitch sequence before center fielder Addison Foster hit a long out by a diving outfielder.

The Hokies finally broke through in the seventh inning as third baseman Jordan Lynch got to second base with a hit to shallow left field. Catcher Emma Kavanaugh launched a long out to the outfield that allowed Lynch to advance to third. Two batters later, sophomore second baseman Gabby Mizelle rocked a two-run homer to left field.

Virginia Tech Wakes Up to Win Game Two, 12-1

Coach Pete D’Amour trotted out a nearly entirely new starting lineup for the second game against George Mason. Tegan Tripp remained in the line, though she moved over to third base. Emma Kavanaugh started at catcher. Haley Luginbill was at first, Lilly Palante at second, and Ryleigh Perks at short. Lyla Blackwell (LF), Sara McNelly (CF), and Jordan Bishop manned the outfield spots as Emma Mazzarone got the start on the mound.

George Mason loaded the bases in the first inning on three walks and scored on a grounder to go up 1-0.

The Hokies scratched some baserunners in the second as Luginbill walked on a full count and went to third on an errant throw to first, putting Perks on first as well. Nothing came of that threat, but Virginia Tech woke up in the fifth inning.

After a Tripp walk and a grounder by McNelly to put two runners on, Bishop singled through the infield to score Tripp from third. Mia Gagliardi worked a full count walk to load the bases. Palante hit a sacrifice fly to score a run. Luginbill and Perks both drew walks to load the bases and score another run. The next batter hit a 2-RBI single to make it 5-1 in favor of Tech.

Meanwhile, Mazzarone pitched four innings before Bree Carrico came on in relief and struck out the side in the fifth.

Virginia Tech struck for two more runs in the sixth inning. Abby Sars was hit by a pitch and Tripp walked to put two runners on. Bishop got on base via an error. With the bases loaded, Gagliardi singled to left field to score two runs and make it 7-1.

The Hokies kept their momentum in the seventh when McNelly hit a 2-RBI single, Bishop knocked a three-run homer to left field, and then Gagliard finished the scoring with an RBI double. Carrico struck out three in the final inning to secure the 12-1 win over George Mason

Up Next: The softball team will play Radford on Friday, October 30 in Radford, VA. Game time is 5:00

WOMEN’S LACROSSE PLAYS FALL GAMES AGAINST UMD AND UVA

The Virginia Tech Women’s Lacrosse team traveled to College Park, MD on October 24 to play fall games against the University of Maryland and UVA. Look for more details.

WHAT’S ON TAP - UPCOMING SCHEDULE

Women’s Swimming and Diving: Next event is from October 28 through October 31 when some members of the team will participate in the USA Swimming SCM World Trials in Westmont, Illinois. The Hokies will then welcome North Carolina to a meet in Christiansburg, Virginia on November 5.

Women’s Soccer: Next event is a homestand Thursday, October 29 against the Boston College Eagles. The game is this Thursday, at 7:00 was won by the Hokie 3-2. See the replay on ACCNX, but look for an update in the next edition of The Corner.

Volleyball: Next event is Friday, October 31 against Florida State at 6:00 pm and then Miami on Sunday, November 1 at 12:30 pm. Both matches are in Blacksburg and will be streamed on ACCNX.

Women's Tennis: Next events include the Wiliam & Mary Hidden Dual, held all day on October 30in Williamsburg, VA. In addition, Blair Gill and Lamija Advic will compete in the Buccaneer Invitational in Charleston, SC from Friday, October 30 to Saturday, October 31.

Women’s Cross Country: Next event is the ACC Championships on Friday, October 30 in Blacksburg, VA.

Softball: Next event is a fall league against Radford on Friday, October 30 in Radford. Game time is 5:00.

Women’s Basketball - Next event is the season opening game in Blacksburg on Monday, November 2 at 5:00 pm against NC Central.

Women’s Golf: Next event will be the College Invitational in Guadalajara, Mexico from January 29-30, 2027.

THE CLUB CORNER

Come to the Club Corner to discuss the events and achievements of the many women’s club sports at Virginia Tech. Please share any news, updates, and information about women’s teams in the comments, email, or Instagram messages.

WOMEN’S ICE HOCKEY

The Virginia Tech Women’s Ice Hockey team traveled to Raleigh, NC to take on the NC State Wolfpack in a women’s hockey club game.

The Hokies starting lineup of Maya Dutton, Brooklyn Fujino, Kristina Herman, Audrey Ju, Cara Krenz, and Quinn Barravechia jumped all over NC State from the beginning, leading 4-0 after the first period.

Virginia Tech tacked on two more goals in the second and finished off the Wolfpack with an 11-0 shutout win.

WOMEN’S FIELD HOCKEY

The Women’s Field Hockey team traveled to George Mason to play two games. The Hokies had a great weekend, defeating VCU, 6-0, and then defeating GMU, 5-0.

WOMEN’S WATER POLO THRASH JMU AND UVA AT THE WAHOO CLASSIC

The Women’s Water Polo team visited Charlottesville, VA on October 24 to play in the two-day Wahoo Classic.

The women started the tournament strong, defeating JMU, 17-1 and the host Cavaliers, 12-6, in their first two games on Saturday. Unfortunately, the Hokies could not sustain their momentum, losing their third game on Saturday against Georgetown, 12-5, and losing to the Queen City Sharks, 15-8.

WOMEN”S LACROSSE HAVE A SUCCESSFUL WEEKEND WITH WINS OVER WVU, UNC-WILMINGTON, AND LOYOLA

The Women’s Lacrosse club team hosted a tournament in Blacksburg on Saturday and Sunday, October 24-25. The home team had a fantastic weekend, defeating West Virginia, 16-3, and UNC-Wilmington, 24-1, on Saturday. The Hokies completed the trifecta with a resounding 17-3 win over Loyola on Sunday. The tournament wraps up the Hokies’ fall season and sets the stage for their spring work.

WOMEN’S RUGBY

The Women’s Rugby team took on the Howard Bison in Washington, DC on Saturday, October 24. The Hokies won 47-7.

Virginia Tech B-Side will next play a combined roster from Emory and Henry and Guilford in Emory, Virginia on Friday, October 30 at 4:00.

WOMEN’S SWIM CLUB FINISHES SECOND AT REGIONALS TO QUALIFY FOR NATIONALS

The Virginia Tech Women’s Swim Club competed in Regionals, hosted by UVA in Charlottesville, VA this past weekend.

The women, as a team, finished in second place behind Virginia and ahead of third place Penn State. Several Hokies finished atop the podium and qualified for nationals at the event.

Podium Finishes:

Julia Simpson finished in second place in the 50 Freestyle and in second also in the 50 Butterfly. She also set the 50 Butterfly pool record at 25.38 over the weekend.

The Women’s 200 Freestyle Relay team of Yasmine Abdelnasser, Kelly Walsh, Olivia Spooner, and Julia Simpson finished in second place.

The Women's 200 Medley Relay team of Kelly Walsh, Yasmine Abdelnasser, Julia Simpson, and Olivia Spooner finished in third place.

The Women's 400 Freestyle Relay team of Julia Simpson, Olivia Spooner, Aleena Stukus, and Yasmine Abdelnasser finished in second place.

National Qualifiers:

Yasmine Abdelbasser - 50 Freestyle, 50 Breaststroke

Colby Fields qualified in the 50 Butterfly and 100 Butterfly

Kyrsten Jones - 50 Butterfly, 100 Breaststroke, 100 Butterfly, 100 IM

Julia Kolotev - 100 Breaststroke

Megan Lane - 50 Butterfly, 100 Breaststroke, 100 Butterfly, 100 IM

Jennifer Schneider - 50 Freestyle. 200 IM

Julia Simpson - 50 Freestyle, 50 Butterfly, 100 Butterfly, 100 Freestyle

Mackenzie Spellman - 50 Butterfly, 100 Backstroke, 100 Butterfly, 100 IM

Olivia Spooner - 50 Freestyle, 100 Backstroke, 100 Freestyle

Aleena Stukus - 50 Freestyle, 200 Freestyle, 100 Freestyle, 500 Freestyle

Kelly Walsh - 50 Backstroke

WOMEN’S TENNIS

After finishing 5th overall at Sectionals from October 17–18, the Women’s Tennis Club sent two teams to compete at the Fall Vol Classic at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, Tennessee over the weekend of October 24-25.

The A team successfully advanced out of pool play as the accumulation of individual performances help the team compete in the Platinum Bracket. The B team also pooled individual performances to advance to the Silver Bracket.

WOMEN'S CLUB SOCCER REGIONAL UPDATE

The Virginia Tech Women's Soccer Club team is begins its journey at the NIRSA Regional Tournament in Foley, Alabama on Saturday, October 31. The pools, opponents, and brackets have been release.

Virginia Tech will kick off the tournament with a 9:00 am game against Georgia Tech and then a 2:00 pm game against the University of Tennesee at Knoxville-White. Both games will be helpd at the Foley Sports Tourism Complex on Fields #2 and #3 respectively.

The top 6 seeds then qualify for the quarterfinals. Virginia Tech would have to win three games in the championship bracket to bring home the championship.

EQUESTRIAN HUNTER'S ANNA SZEFC AND CSS RONALDO COMPETE AT THE SWVHJA IN LEXINGTON

Anna Szefc, of Virginia Tech's Equestrian Hunter team competed in the Southwest Virginia Hunter Jumper Association (SWVHJA) Horse Show and Medal Finals hosted in Lexington, VA from October 23-24.

Szefc and her horse CSS Ronaldo had a great day. She and Ronaldo placed 7th in the first round of the Adult/Amateur Hunter 3' Open Fences and then 13th overall. The pair also placed in the Adult/Amateur Hunter U/Saddle class and the $1000 Hunt and Go Derby 3'. Lastly, Szefc and Naldo finished seventh in the Adult Hunt Seat Medal 3' class.

VIRGINIA TECH GOLF CLUB FINISHES SECOND AT HANGING ROCK

The Virginia Tech Golf Club team competed as a co-ed organization at the Hanging Rock event in Salem, VA. While no individuals finished in the top seven of events, the team finished in second place, behind UVA.

UPCOMING CLUB EVENTS

Women's Rugby - The Virginia Tech Women's Rugby B-Side will next play a combined roster from Emory and Henry and Guilford in Emory, Virginia on Friday, October 30 at 4:00.

Women’s Club Soccer - The Women’s Soccer Club will compete in the NIRSA Regional Tournament from October 30-November 1 in Foley, AL

Women’s Strong Crew - The Strong Women Crew team will compete in the Music City Head Race in the Cumberland River in Nashville, TN on October 31.

Fencing Club - The Fencing Club will compete at Troy Cullen Memorial/Halloween Open from October 31-November 1st in Williamsburg, VA.

Equestrian Team:

The Hunter Team’s next IHSA competition will be the University of Lynchburg IHSA in Rustberg, VA on Sunday, November 8.

The IDA Equestrian Dressage Team will compete at Emory and Henry on October 31 through November 1.

The Western Team will stay in Blacksburg for an event from November 7-8.

Women’s Volleyball Club - The Women’s Volleyball Club has two 11-player teams. The A team and the B team will compete on Saturday, November 7 at Clemson, SC.

Women’s Cross Country Club - The Women’s Cross Country Club team will compete at the NIRCA Nationals at the Blue River Cross Country Course in Shelby, Indiana on November 7.

Competitive Cheer - The Virginia Tech Competitive Cheer program is hosting a clinic on Sunday, November 8 from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm in Radford, VA.

Michael Turner

Women's Sports Analyst

I have been a Hokie since 1985. I graduated from Virginia Tech with a degree in international relations and received my Master’s in international relations as well, which included spending time in Romania, Russia, and Ukraine.