Virginia Tech News: Football vs. FSU, soccer, baseball & more

The Virginia Tech football team returns to the field Saturday afternoon at Florida State and that is the biggest headline surrounding the Hokies’ athletic programs, but there is still plenty of other news surrounding other teams. With that said, let’s fire up the latest Virginia Tech News.

Virginia Tech football gears up for huge challenge

The Hokies on Friday headed to Tallahassee to get ready to take on the fifth-ranked Florida State Seminoles. Virginia Tech is looking to improve to 2-0 in the ACC after a 38-21 win over Pittsburgh last week, however, FSU is coming off of a bye and is primed to make a case to be part of the College Football Playoff Semifinals on New Year’s Eve.

Women’s soccer uses a strong second half to beat NC State

Tied 1-1 with North Carolina State Thursday night at halftime, the Hokies scored three second-half goals to roll to a 4-1 ACC victory. Samantha DeGuzman scored two second-half goals, including the game-winner in the 63rd minute and Natalie Mitchell added the third goal of the half. Eden Skyers opened the scoring for the Hokies in the 14th minute of the first half.

Keeper Alia Skinner made two saves, as Virginia Tech improved to 6-4-3 overall and 3-2-0 in the ACC. They return to the pitch Sunday against ninth-ranked Clemson at Thompson Field in Blacksburg.

Men’s soccer drops ACC match to Pittsburgh

The Hokies men’s soccer team continues to make strides this season and they were 45 minutes away from knocking off another ranked ACC opponent Friday night at 20th-ranked Pittsburgh. Virginia Tech held a 1-0 halftime lead on a Mayola Kinyua first-half strike, but a late second-half rally from the Panthers allowed them to escape with the victory.

Pittsburgh used three goals in the final 13 minutes to stun the Hokies and drop them to 3-4-3 overall and 2-2-1 in conference play. They return to the pitch Tuesday night at home in a non-conference match with William & Mary at Thompson Field.

Volleyball picks up first ACC victory

Things have been tough for the Hokies women’s volleyball team since ACC play started, but Friday night after starting the season 0-4 in conference play, Tech traveled to Western New York and swept Syracuse in three games.

Hailey Pearce had 10 kills, Iliana Rodriguez had 14 digs and Hanna Borer had 13. Sydney Petersen had five blocks as the Hokies improved to 11-5 overall and they return to the court Sunday in Chestnut Hill, Mass. against Boston College.

Virginia Tech baseball recruiting class ranks in the top 50

For the third straight season, the Hokies baseball recruiting class cracked the Collegiate Baseball Newspaper’s top 50 incoming recruiting class for this season. Virginia Tech ranked 45th on the list, down 20 spots from last season, but they will benefit this upcoming season from some transfers and incoming freshmen.

Coach John Szefc added five Division 1 transfer pitchers to his rotation and the Hokies will be looking to bounce back from a tough finish in the ACC Tournament last May.