Inside HOKIE SPORTS | Vol. 10 No. 6 | June 2018

38 Inside Hokie Sports Proud Supporter of Virginia Tech Athletics 99 Bradley Drive Christiansburg NRV Mall 540-381-8100 www.holidayinn.com/cburgnorth Full Service Restaurant Bar & Grill Game Day Catering, Dine in or Room Service Looking for a “HOKIE HOME” away from HOME? V O L L E Y B A L L T he first phase in the rebuilding of the Virginia Tech volleyball program under new coach Jill Wilson took place this past fall, and while the Hokies incurred their share of bumps and bruises, they at least received consistent play the entire season from right-side hitter Jaila Tolbert. Tolbert became just the seventh Tech player to be named to the All-ACC first or second team, as she received second-team honors following a junior season in which she led the Hokies in kills (318), hitting percentage (.331) and points (358.5). She also led Tech in three categories during conference matches—kills (222), kills per set (3.00) and hitting percentage (.335). Tolbert, who made the ACC All-Freshman Team in 2015, posted career bests in kills, hitting percentage, assists (11), service aces (four) and digs (75). Her .331 hitting percentage was the seventh-best in the ACC this past fall and the top mark among non-middle blockers. Tolbert’s best game arguably came in the Hokies’3-1 loss to NC State. She recorded 22 kills—one of 19 matches in which she finished in double figures in kills. She also notched 16 kills in the Hokies’ win over rival Virginia in the penultimate match of the season, helping the Hokies to sweep the Cavaliers and contributing a point toward the school’s victory over UVA in the Commonwealth Clash. The Hokies lose six seniors off this past fall’s team, but Tolbert’s return, along with that of rising sophomores Kaity Smith and Ester Talamazzi, provide the nucleus for a program looking to move into the upper echelon of the ACC. TOLBERT JR • MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA Jaila