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MENTAL HEALTH FAIR RETURNS TO VIRGINIA TECH
Lindsey Kudriavetz | News Writer
Hokie Wellness will host their 3rd annual World Mental Health Day to provide mental health resources and events
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Hokie Wellness is hosting its third annual World Mental Health Day event Monday, Oct. 13, in the Owens Ballroom.
“I think that (this event) shows the students that we care about mental health, and we really want to make sure that we’re doing things they want to be part of,” said Colleen Driscoll, assistant director of mental health initiatives for Hokie Wellness.
Artistic events include coloring, rock painting, building your own stress ball, and building your own glitter jar.
The Virginia Tech therapy dogs, Josie, Epcot and Derek will make an appearance from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
There will also be mental health resources, with an affirmation station, wellness-focused books and student facilitators from the FEELS peer support circle.
Virginia Tech is honoring World Mental Health Day to encourage students to speak up about mental health. Virginia Tech has expanded its mental health resources over the past year. Most notably, they have created a new residential well-being initiative and became the first certified “Digitally
Well” university.
“It’s important that there’s a World Day recognizing mental health and breaking down the stigma around mental illness,” Driscoll said.
The event will run from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is available for all students to attend.
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ETHAN CANDELARIO / COLLEGIATE TIMES
Virginia Tech therapy dogs Moose (left) and Wagner (right) pose for a photo outside of the Cook Counseling Center, April 11, 2019.
INSIDE VT’S 2025 HOMECOMING WITH CARSON RILEY
Thomas Hughes and Natalie Shannon | News Writers
VT’s 2025 Homecoming allows Homecoming court students to raise money and awareness to chosen causes
Virginia Tech hosted its annual Homecoming celebration from Sept. 29 to Oct. 4, with the festivities culminating in the crowning of the Homecoming Royalty during the Hokies’ football game.
The Homecoming court candidates each partner with one of the university’s organizations, creating a campaign to raise money for a cause of their choice. This year, the Homecoming Court’s candidates were Eric Albi, Alli Jones, Amelia Kurowska, Michaela Long, Celia McDermott, Jonah Middleton, Andrew Peterson, Carson Riley, Yael Rosen and Sydney Thomas.
This year’s trio of winners were Long, Middleton and Riley. Long campaigned in support of domestic violence awareness and prevention, while Middleton advocated for amplifying mental health resources for college students and the larger New River Valley community. Riley advocated for awareness surrounding pornography addiction.
Riley’s campaign was on behalf of his faith-based fraternity, Chi Alpha. Each year, the fraternity selects a brother to campaign for Homecoming.
“They always put up a candidate (for) as many years as they can,” Riley said. “They actually came to me and asked, ‘Hey, would you consider being Chi Alpha’s representative this year in Homecoming?’ I was all for it. I love the campaign. I love the idea. I was definitely willing to do that to help out my organization, my ministry.”
During the process, Riley met the other nine Homecoming candidates over weekly meetings, which started in the spring of 2025, Riley’s junior year. Riley shared an organization with Middleton, who eventually shared his own platform to Chi Alpha, centered around mental health awareness.
When Riley learned that he had been named to Homecoming royalty, his reaction was one of jubilation and gratitude.
“I loved that moment,” Riley said. “In that moment, I was really just overcome with a lot of gratitude for many different things. One, really grateful that God
gave me the opportunity to stand there in that position as royalty that day when that was announced. Then, also just gratitude for my ministry, and just all the support that they showed me over not just that campaign week, but the whole period leading up to campaign week.”
Riley stated that the win felt less like a personal victory and more like a celebration for his fraternity and ministry.
“It meant a lot just to stand there with them, and not stand there as I won, but almost stand there as my ministry,” Riley said. “Chi Alpha won. There were a lot of really good emotions that day, but (I am) super grateful.”
Beyond the celebration, Riley emphasized the importance of using his platform to raise awareness about an issue he feels is often overlooked.
“I think it’s really incredible to have this opportunity, to have this platform to campaign and talk about a topic and a subject that I am truly passionate about, talking to people about and seeing people freed from the addiction of pornography,” Riley said. According to Riley, each winner is given $1,000 by the university to support their platform. Riley’s plan, which he shared and stated in an Instagram post, is to host a panel discussion consisting of neuroscientists and psychologists that would “expand on the harmful impact porn can have on our lives given their field of expertise.” Riley stated that the set-up of the panel remains a work in progress since he is currently waiting on funds from the university to begin the process.
More than just a football tradition, Virginia Tech’s Homecoming allows students like Riley to raise money and bring awareness to causes important to them.
EMMA COOPER / COLLEGIATE TIMES
The Virginia Tech Highty Tighties get into formation right before the parade starts, Oct. 13, 2023.
FIRST-YEAR ENGINEERING STUDENTS: CHOOSING YOUR CONCENTRATION
Willow Musterman | Lifestyles Contributor
From civil to biomedical engineering, here’s how to narrow your engineering concentration.
When students apply to Virginia Tech, they select an intended major. The only thing standing between them and that major is an acceptance letter. For engineering students, it’s not that simple.
First-year engineers are considered general engineering students, which means they don’t have a concentration. Engineering students are currently enrolled in their required courses before they make selections at the end of the spring semester.
When students declare a concentration, they must apply through Hokie Spa and have up to three concentration choices listed in their preferred order. While the engineering programs are selective and competitive, having a minimum of a 3.0 GPA will likely secure a student’s spot in their first choice concentration. Some majors have more specific requirements, so students should keep that in mind while applying to certain disciplines.
Picking a concentration can be a stressful process for many students. Benjamin Dye, a third-year biological sciences engineering ambassador and engineering student, was able to use a lot of the resources around him to make the best decision for his major. Now he plans to share that wisdom.
Open house events
“I did a lot of work into making (my) decision,” Dye said. “I went to Explore Engineering Week, an event at Burruss Hall, three nights a week, with different departments. They’ll have representatives as students as well as faculty who come to talk about the department. Every department has ambassadors, and those are students who are selected by the department to advocate for the major.”
While the Explore Engineering Week has passed, the upcoming Open House event on Nov. 15 and 16 is a similarly beneficial opportunity for students. During the open house, the College of Engineering will hold an information session from 10:15 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. in Burruss Hall.
“We’ll set up a table, and it’s either for incoming prospective students or current engineering students who want to learn about different majors,” Dye said. Student-led programs
“I would recommend joining the Peer Mentoring because that’s a program that lets you interact with an upperclassman who’s an engineer, and they can help guide you to select your major,” Dye said.
This free student-led program is a great way for first-year students to not only find a community, but help make this process a
little less stressful. The program arranges first-year students into groups of around 10 with an engineering upperclassman.
Academic advisors and course plan
Meeting with engineering students and staff to gain insight is important, but academic planning is a challenge of its own.
Dye discussed communicating with student advisors and course plans.
“Definitely look at the course plan for each engineering major. You can find it online. Just look at the classes you have to take and make sure that’s something that you’re interested in,” Dye said.
Scheduling a meeting with an advisor to look over course plans can help create a roadmap for the future concentration one may want to pursue. Students can find their academic advisor on Hokie Spa under “view general student information.”
Interest
When all is said and done, the key to deciding future plans all leads back to one’s own passion, drive and interest in the subject.
Dye shared his personal journey of changing his interest from chemical engineering to civil engineering to his current concentration, biological sciences.
“Originally, when I applied to Virginia Tech, I applied for chemical engineering because I
wanted to do more environmentally related stuff. I realized civil was a better fit for that, so I changed my interest to civil,” Dye said.
A student can easily change their concentration by submitting a general engineering change of concentration form. There are no requirements necessary to submit this form, and students are able to change their concentration as many times as they’d like.
“Through my first semester here, I got to experience a lot of events,” Dye said. “I got to talk to ambassadors, academic advisors, and based on that, I thought that civil probably wasn’t the best fit for me because I wasn’t interested in some of the classes they had to take.”
Dye went on to change his major to align with his passions and goals as an engineer. His story shows that finding what you love is truly a journey, but it’s worth it in the end when you find that passion.
Selecting a concentration is a big decision and can be a stressful process. However, there are multiple easily accessible resources available to help guide students along the way.
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AI WILL AFFECT THE ENGINEERING JOB MARKET IN MORE WAYS THAN ONE
Willow Musterman | Lifestyles Contributor
A look into the positives and negatives of AI in the engineering field.
With artificial intelligence now a prominent part of everyday life, the question arises of how this will affect the job market, specifically in engineering.
While artificial intelligence is often viewed as a threat to the job market, it also presents significant opportunities and advantages that should not be overlooked. AI provides engineers with assistance to help them stay ahead, analyze data and free up time for more creative thinking.
Benefits
According to Johns Hopkins Whiting School of Engineering, “Working with AI leads to increased productivity, efficiency, and creativity within a broad spectrum of
engineering subfields.” With these benefits, more can be accomplished in much less time.
Additionally, the American Society of Civil Engineers stated, “The proliferation of artificial intelligence is reshaping how the architecture, engineering, and construction sector operates as firms grapple with the rapidly evolving capabilities of these systems.” With less time spent creating models and generating plans, more time can be put toward innovative thinking.
“The good news for all engineers is that their jobs involve more than just routine calculations. Instead, engineers work with an untold number of variables to understand long-term cause and effect, bringing
creativity and synergy to their projects in order to succeed,” the American Society of Civil Engineers stated. Artificial intelligence takes the calculations away and makes operations run smoothly.
It will become important that those in the engineering field have a good grasp of how artificial intelligence works. With proper use, AI can be a tool used to speed up many processes.
Negatives
Looking at the negative effects of AI, “the use of AI could fundamentally change the economics of countless engineering firms, disrupting their business models and potentially replacing labor hours with data-driven
digital outcomes,” the American Society of Civil Engineers said. It is important that these companies learn to adapt and stay up to date on emerging technology.
Michigan Technological University states that artificial intelligence will create more jobs than it will remove. Some of these careers are in health care, robotics and cybersecurity. While AI is increasingly present in the engineering field and may seem concerning, there are many reasons to be excited about this upcoming technology. For every loss, there is a win.
WHAT IS MATERIALS SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING? A DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW
Bailey Miller | Lifestyles Staff Writer
Lifestyles writer Bailey Miller explores the materials science and engineering major.
Within the College of Engineering is the Department of Materials Science and Engineering. The department offers bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees where students study and improve existing materials, such as metal and ceramic, as well as develop new materials for technological advances or other essential fields.
Undergraduate programs
Students pursuing a bachelor’s degree in materials science and engineering can choose between the traditional path or the nuclear materials concentration.
Using foundational knowledge in chemistry, physics and mathematics, academic coursework dives into the properties and behavior of naturally forming and man-made materials.
The undergraduate curriculum also includes the Engineering Communications Program. Developed for materials students over two decades ago, this program teaches students how to effectively communicate their work through written, verbal and visual avenues starting their sophomore year. Program faculty also ensure students understand the importance of ethics,
teamwork and professionalism.
To give back to the program and gain leadership experience, undergraduate students can become student ambassadors. These student ambassadors chat with prospective students, give tours as well as assist with university events and open houses.
Graduate programs
The master of science is for students interested in pursuing research post-graduation and requires a thesis to graduate. The program takes two academic years to finish, with six to 10 of the required 30 credits being dedicated to thesis research. Graduates can pursue higher education, such as a Ph.D., or work in a lab setting.
The master of engineering option is catered more for students headed toward the industry setting, such as manufacturing or equipment design. This non-thesis track typically takes 12 to 18 months to complete. Three to six of the required 30 credits to graduate are spent doing project work to prepare students for industry careers.
The doctoral program is for students with a strong interest in independent
research who want to pursue a career in academia. The degree program is flexible to allow students and faculty to research their interests.
The Engineering Communications Program also helps graduate students through communications workshops and a one-credit, student-led graduate seminar class.
Research and labs
The Department of Materials Science and Engineering offers research for undergraduate and graduate students in biomaterials, polymers, computational materials science and more. These labs are often open to students in the department or in related fields, like physics or mathematics. Students interested in research can reach out to professors to get involved.
Holden Hall Facilities
In March 2022, Holden Hall reopened after years of renovation and became the primary home to the Department of Materials Science and Engineering’s offices and labs. Examples of MSE-specific labs include the Materials Active Design and Exploration Lab, a research space
OPINIONS
for long-term student projects, and the Laboratory Operations Center, which is used for recruitment demonstrations and serves as the main access point for lab supervision.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics explained that the demand for materials engineers is projected to grow 6% from 2024 to 2034, which is faster than most professions. At Virginia Tech, prospective materials scientists and engineers have access to world-class professors, facilities and education to prepare them for their future.
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CAMPUS LIFE WITHOUT SOCIAL MEDIA
Garrison Underwood | Opinions Contributer
A campus culture dependent on social media excludes those who do not use it.
How much of your life depends on social media? Is it your primary news source? Is it how you find out about campus events? Is it your primary channel of communication? For all the reasons one can use social media, think about the students who don’t. Only 2% of college students lack a social media presence. But if that statistic holds true, that means over 700 Hokies are unintentionally excluded from club meetings, campus gatherings and even academic support. These students don’t know when campus events are happening because meeting information is almost exclusively posted on social media. Think about the last Virginia Tech website you visited. Was there outdated information on it? How are
students without social media supposed to stay in the loop if the next best source of information, campus websites, is outdated?
As someone who has vowed not to use social media, I’m one of the students who is unintentionally excluded from an abundance of campus events. I left the social media scene after I found myself getting less than two hours of sleep per night when using it. Some other reasons included my mood/depression, cyberbullying, death threats and ethical concerns on data collection.
I was a servant to social media, and quitting gave me back my freedom. However, I cannot fully engage in campus
life without going back to a place that cost me more than it gave. Student organizations that I’m interested in post meeting times and locations in places I don’t have access to. Campus protests and gatherings of any sort are organized on a forum I’m not part of.
Now, you may say this comes with the territory. After all, if I’m going to choose to not use social media, I need to handle the consequences. And you are absolutely right. However, some engineering classes hold their office hours exclusively on Discord. What is someone who has vowed against social media to do when the only way to get academic support is through a form of social media he disdains?
In a first-year seminar class, I was required to create a LinkedIn profile. Again, a form of social media I did not want to be part of, literally forced upon me as a class assignment. At some point, on a campus that strives to be inclusive to all people, when will the 2% be included?
Virginia Tech has great initiatives to serve all Hokies. Take Virginia Tech’s Safe Ride as an example. You could say that students who are afraid of walking home after a late night out should have just not gone out. Yet, Virginia Tech provides a mechanism to protect these individuals even though there was another option. Similarly, when
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will Virginia Tech implement a mechanism to include the 2% of students who don’t get updates on campus information the same way everyone else does?
I’m not saying that social media shouldn’t exist, and I don’t believe it will ever go away. But social media needs to be used more responsibly. 60% of college students claim they are addicted to social media.
Social media use is associated with a 40% increased risk of sleeping issues and a twofold increase in eating disorders. My roommate habitually lies in bed and watches TikTok for over an hour before bed. Every minute we doom scroll is a minute away from our school work and away from our friends, cut off from the world that really matters. With the average college student on social media for more than three hours per day, it’s time to make
a change. And that change starts with every one of us.
I’m not saying you have to give up social media; however, do you agree that the three hours per day you may be spending on social media could be spent achieving something greater? An extracurricular activity, homework, a personal project, a book or literally anything else could be done with your time. Social media isn’t inherently bad, but when it becomes the only way to
find belonging and to be included, we need to reconsider the digital culture that our campus life virtually hinges on.
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THE VALUE OF STUDYING LIBERAL ARTS AT A TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY
Grace Markusson | Opinions Contributor
Studying liberal arts at a tech school prepares you with a dynamic, future-ready skillset.
When I tell people I attend Virginia Tech, they smile. When I tell them my major, they pause. Despite Virginia Tech housing eight undergraduate colleges with over 150 majors, STEM defines our university. Studying liberal arts at a school that is famous for its engineering and research comes with a set of challenges, but it accompanies extensive opportunities. In 2025, humanities are more valuable than ever, and the best place to study them is at a technical university.
A typical liberal arts college has around 2,500 undergraduate students. Though many of these institutions offer majors beyond liberal arts, humanities are their focus. Often, these colleges are private, close-knit and quiet. Virginia Tech is the exact opposite.
With 31,000 undergraduate students, 4,000 of whom study in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences, Blacksburg radiates energy from Lane Stadium to classrooms. In June, the Board of Visitors approved a record-high budget of $2.5 billion in university spending. Small schools cannot compete with land-grant universities when it comes to funding, research or spirit.
Meghan Jester, the director of enrollment management in CLAHS and an alumna, explained that students in the college can expect smaller class sizes and individualized attention from advisors while still benefiting from the funding of an R1 institute.
“For our students, they’re getting a liberal arts experience with all these other resources that don’t exist on smaller campuses,” Jester said.
Traditional liberal arts schools may
suffer from an echo-chamber effect. When too many people study the same thing, little academic progress is made. Studying liberal arts at a technical school ensures that courses are innovative. Curriculums move beyond history and rhetoric to real-world application. Students in multimedia journalism gain hands-on experience producing news content through video, audio, and digital storytelling. Meanwhile, the political science department organizes Hokies on the Hill to help students land congressional internships.
Alongside the “big school, small college” feel, liberal arts students at technical schools have unique advantages over their peers. General education courses are not simply a requirement; they are a genuine learning advantage.
While students at smaller schools may be required to take math or science courses, they are not taught by the esteemed faculty in the world-class facilities we have here. Beyond general education courses, CLAHS students can minor or double major in any other college.
“All of our programs allow the flexibility for students to pursue multiple areas of study, and that can be cross-disciplinary,” Jester explained.
A liberal arts graduate with a second focus in a business or STEM field provides competitive advantage in the job market that cannot exist at a traditional liberal arts institution.
One thing all liberal arts students have in common, no matter the university, is the dreaded “What can you even do with that degree?” It’s true — almost every liberal arts student has been asked, and
asked themselves, this question. The truth is that liberal arts students can do virtually anything.
Beyond becoming authors, historians, organizers, researchers — the list goes on — liberal arts students are now making their break in the tech industry. With the job market rapidly changing, companies are looking for graduates with soft skills and critical thinking. At a technical school, those connections are literally at your front door.
At Virginia Tech, career fairs are not exclusive to any college and all students are encouraged to talk to recruiters. Additionally, research opportunities and STEM clubs often recruit liberal arts majors for their communication skills, providing diverse experiences.
“I think that’s also where the value of having a liberal degree is,” Jester said. “You’re not studying a technology that’s going to become obsolete in five years — you’re building those enduring skills that will continue with you even as the world changes, as job titles change, as employment changes.”
Of course, no professional article in 2025 is complete without referencing AI. It’s true — AI poses a threat to all entrylevel jobs and is a massive concern for college students regardless of major. Experts argue that there is no such thing as a “safe” degree anymore with the rise of AI, especially in STEM fields.
In fact, professionals are finding the humanities to be more valuable prospects than ever. Studying liberal arts at a technical school puts students in the heart of emerging technology. Rather than turning a blind eye to AI, students have the resources to understand and get involved in the future of
AI development through humanitarian and ethical judgment, making graduates exponentially valuable.
“There are going to be jobs that exist when you graduate that don’t exist currently,” Jester said. “Our students are equipped to use communication, critical thinking, research, data analysis — all of those are going to be skills that are continuing to be relevant, even when AI is a part of the conversation.”
Studying liberal arts at a STEM school will always be a controversial choice, but for many, it is the right one. In a world that values innovation and change, it is imperative that there is a force grounding us to our common humanity. Whether you study communication, political science, English, religion or anything in between, studying at a technical school provides you with the unique advantage to understand how your field practically applies to the professional world. The world is changing quickly and studying for passion rather than perceived profit has never been more crucial.
GEORGIA TECH STIFLES HOKIES FOOTBALL FOR A 35-20 LOSS
Sam Mostow | Sports Editor
Kyron Drones and Ja’Ricous Hairston accounted for five total touchdowns.
Virginia Tech football sustained another setback in its 35-20 loss to No. 13 Georgia Tech in Atlanta on Saturday.
“Tough day but, that being said, I was proud of the way our guys came out and competed,” said Virginia Tech interim head coach Philip Montgomery. “Hats off to Georgia Tech. They’ve got a good program; they’ve got a lot of veteran players on it.”
The Yellow Jackets (6-0, 3-0 ACC) overmatched the Hokies (2-5, 1-2 ACC) from the start, jumping to an 18-0 lead in the game’s first 20 minutes.
In the game’s opening drive, Georgia Tech quarterback Haynes King rushed two yards into the end zone, then succeeded in the ensuing two-point conversion to build an 8-0 advantage before the Hokies touched the ball. With four minutes remaining in the first quarter, King found wide receiver Malik Rutherford in the end zone for another score. Yellow Jackets kicker Aidan Birr hit a 25-yard field goal in
the next drive to maintain a three-score lead; by that point, Virginia Tech had simply punted three times.
Virginia Tech quarterback Kyron Drones rushed for 32 yards into the end zone with three minutes remaining in the half to put the Hokies on the scoreboard. Then, in the third quarter, Drones passed to tight end Ja’Ricous Hairston for a 33-yard score, cutting the Yellow Jackets’ lead to a touchdown.
When the Hokies’ defense needed a stop, King prevented it. He led two touchdown drives of 75 yards and 83 yards, respectively, capped off by a 15-yard rush from Georgia Tech running back Malachi Hosley and a 26-yard run by King to build an insurmountable lead.
“The first quarter kind of got away from us, but I was really proud of how our guys battled all the way to the end,” Montgomery said. “ ... Never saw any quit out of any of them.”
The Yellow Jackets mounted six scoring drives throughout the game, including in five of their first six times on offense. They consistently moved the ball down the field and held possession for 11:23 of the second quarter’s 15 minutes.
King was effective all afternoon, completing 20 of his 24 passing attempts for 213 yards and a touchdown in the air, while adding 60 yards and two touchdowns via runs. Drones, on the other hand, held his own with 181 passing yards and two touchdowns across a 13-for-21 completion rate, while he added 83 rushing yards with a score.
Georgia Tech running back Malachi Hosley tallied 129 of his team’s 268 rushing yards, averaging 11.7 yards per carry with a touchdown.
Georgia Tech dominated most of the offensive stats, though the time of possession was relatively even; the Yellow Jackets held the ball for 32 minutes, while
the Hokies had it for 28. The Yellow Jackets scored on all five of their red zone appearances; the Hokies only reached inside the 20-yard line twice and scored once. Georgia Tech went 7-for-12 in converting on third downs; the Hokies were 0-for-8. The Yellow Jackets sacked Drones and backup quarterback Pop Watson a combined four times, while Virginia Tech failed to reach King.
Now comes a week off, an opportunity for the Hokies to recover after a tumultuous start to the season, which culminated in an 0-3 start and Virginia Tech leadership firing then-head coach Brent Pry. In just under two weeks, they will return to Lane Stadium for a Friday night matchup against Cal on Oct. 24 at 7:30 p.m.
VIRGINIA TECH WOMEN’S SOCCER BEGINS WEST COAST TRIP WITH LOSS TO STANFORD
Sidney Shore | Sports Staff Writer
Virginia Tech’s last win was on August 31.
Virginia Tech women’s soccer began its trip out west by facing No. 3 Stanford Thursday night, leading to a dominant 5-0 loss to the Cardinal.
After holding No. 1 Virginia to a one-goal defeat Sunday, the Hokies (4-7-3, 0-5-1 ACC) looked to flip the script against their second top-three opponent of the week. However, Stanford (10-1-1, 4-0-1 ACC) asserted control fast, netting two goals in the first 11 minutes.
The Cardinal opened up aggressively, straining the young Virginia Tech backline right away. Within the first minute, Stanford threatened off a corner kick, forcing Hokies goalkeeper Lauren Hargrove to make her first save. However, sustained pressure amounted to a goal when defender Elise
Evans headed one in off another corner to put Stanford up in the seventh minute.
Three minutes later, Charlotte Kohler flicked the ball to fellow midfielder Shae Harvey, who finished to give Stanford a quick two-goal advantage.
In the 29th minute, forward Anna Weir managed to take the first shot for Virginia Tech, but it didn’t get past the fierce Cardinal backline. Stanford continued their aggression, demanding Hargrove to come up with a couple of key saves to prevent Stanford from earning another one before the half.
Entering halftime, Stanford outshot Virginia Tech, 9-1.
After returning to the pitch, the Hokies looked rejuvenated. The offense was
determined to score, and much of the play shifted to Stanford’s defensive half. Forward Natalie Mitchell took Tech’s second shot of the match, but it was blocked.
Shortly after, Stanford would find their rhythm again. In the 58th minute, midfielder Jasmine Aikey found the back of the net. A couple of minutes later, Harvey completed a brace to push Stanford to their scoring average of four goals per game — the highest rate in the country. Stanford improved their average when freshman forward Brooke Holden scored her fifth career collegiate goal at the 68:47 mark. Afterwards, Tech only generated one more shot, a late effort by forward Samantha DeGuzman that was off-target.
Stanford outshot Virginia Tech, 17-3. The Hokies managed only a single shot on goal. Thursday’s contest marked the first time since 2012 that Tech conceded five goals in a single game.
Stanford looked like a true national championship contender. They prepare for an epic ACC clash against No. 1 Virginia on Oct. 12.
The Hokies, meanwhile, continue to seek their first ACC win — and their first victory since August. Their next chance comes Sunday, Oct. 12 at 4 p.m., when they wrap up their West Coast trip in Berkeley against Cal.
VOLLEYBALL OUTMATCHED BY NO. 5 LOUISVILLE IN STRAIGHT SETS
Virginia Tech volleyball couldn’t sustain its momentum Friday night; the Hokies fell in straight sets to No. 5 Louisville, with 25-11, 25-12 and 25-17 the final set scores.
The Cardinals (13-2, 5-0 ACC) extended their winning streak to six matches with a methodical and commanding performance, maintaining at least a 34.5% hit rate in all three sets and finishing with a 43% mark. Louisville’s attack rarely faltered, dictating the tempo and keeping Virginia Tech (9-7, 1-4 ACC) on its heels from the opening serve.
Momentum never swung in the Hokies’ favor. There were no lead changes or ties across the match, with Louisville striking first in every set and never relinquishing control. The side-out numbers told the same story — the Cardinals converted on 85.4% of their side-out opportunities, while the Hokies managed a 45.9% mark.
From the first serve, Louisville dictated the pace. The Cardinals jumped out to a
Thomas Hughes | Sports Staff Writer
Four of Virginia Tech’s seven losses have been 3-0 sweeps.
6-0 lead in the opening set behind outside hitter Chloe Chicoine’s strong swings and a pair of service aces from setter Nayelis Cabello. Tech broke the run with a kill from middle blocker Jordan Hallman, but the Cardinals responded with another surge, stretching the lead to 17-6. The Hokies never managed to recover; Louisville easily claimed the set, 25-11, behind 15 kills and a 41.9% hitting percentage.
In the second set, outside hitter Ainsley Ranstead, who returned after not playing against Boston College on Oct. 5, gave the Hokies a spark, tallying four of Tech’s 12 kills in the set. However, the Cardinals neutralized one of Virginia Tech’s most reliable offensive options in Payton Woods. The junior outside hitter, who entered the night averaging over three kills per set, was held to a season-low two kills and a -27.3% hitting mark.
And each time the Hokies found a groove, Louisville countered. The Cardinals leapt
out to a swift 11-2 lead and stifled Virginia Tech’s efforts to grab the second set, 25-12, and move within one of the sweep.
Defensively, the Cardinals stifled Tech’s hitters at every turn. Their length and timing at the net proved disruptive, recording 10 total team blocks while the Hokies tallied three. Hannah Sherman and Cresse combined for seven total rejections, while Louisville’s back row, anchored by libero Kamden Schrand’s 11 digs, prevented Tech from finding open space on attack.
In the final frame, Tech hung closer early but still couldn’t seize momentum. Louisville opened with another 5-0 run before the Hokies trimmed the deficit to 7-4. However, the Cardinals’ efficiency never wavered. They posted 13 kills on a 34.5% clip in the closing set, pulling away midway through and sealing the sweep on a service error from the Hokies.
Tech entered the match seeking
back-to-back ACC victories for the first time since Nov. 4, 2022, after defeating Boston College on Sunday, Oct. 5. Instead, Louisville’s offensive precision proved too much to overcome. The Cardinals’ tempo and passing allowed them to set up quick strikes, often catching the Hokies off-balance and forcing out-of-system swings. Louisville’s control was evident statistically beyond the attack line. The Cardinals recorded 10 service aces to Virginia Tech’s none, repeatedly gaining points off aggressive serving.
Tech next faces Notre Dame on Sunday, Oct. 12, before beginning a homeand-home with rival Virginia. The first installment of this year’s Commonwealth Clash will be on Wednesday, Oct. 15, at 7 p.m. in Blacksburg; the second will take place on Sunday, Oct. 19, at 3 p.m. in Charlottesville.
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TRAUSTASON’S HAT TRICK PROPELS MEN’S SOCCER PAST LONGWOOD
Brody Bryan | Sports Staff Writer
Virginia Tech moved to 4-0-2 in conference play on the season.
It was a wet one at Thompson Field on Tuesday, as Virginia Tech men’s soccer prevailed, 3-0, over Longwood in an interstate matchup to get its first win of October.
Leading the charge for the Hokies (4-2-4) was Iceland native Dagur Traustason, who tallied three goals for a hat trick that fueled Tech to its fourth victory of the season.
“It’s huge for (Traustason), and it’s huge for the team,” said Virginia Tech goalkeeper Sam Joseph. “We needed a game to score some goals, and he did it. He’s been working really hard and he deserves it. He’s young and has a lot more to go to, so it’s great that he’s already starting strong.”
Traustason wasn’t the only star shining on Tuesday. Hokies forward/ midfielder Alex Perez assisted two of
Traustason’s goals and tallied a shot on goal. Forward Andy Sullins made his presence felt despite playing less than 30 minutes, with four shots — two of which on goal.
The game began amid steady rain, with the Hokies controlling the first couple of minutes but unable to break through the deadlock.
That was until Traustason headed home a ball from Perez to open the scoring in the 13th minute, the first of his three goals.
The Lancers (2-7-2) had their share of possession, but were never able to truly pose a threat to the Hokies’ defense. Joseph didn’t face a single shot on goal in the first half, and didn’t need to make his first save of the game until well into the second.
“I think as a team, it’s been really a
focus to keep the goal clean,” Joseph said. “All of the defenders come in every game with one goal, and that’s to keep the ball out of the net, so they’re making it really easy on me.”
The defense’s focus paid off; the Hokies kept a clean sheet, and Joseph faced just two shots on goal throughout the 90 minutes.
It was more of the same for Longwood, which hasn’t scored since a 1-0 win over Elon on Sept. 23, its only goal in its past five games.
The three goals netted by Tech on Tuesday were the most it has scored in a game this season. It was the fifth time the Hokies had held their opponent scoreless.
“We play games where we don’t score, but we keep that ball out of the net no matter what,” Joseph said.
The Hokies return to action against Louisville at home Saturday at 5 p.m. for senior day.