The Penn State women’s volleyball team faced a stiff test from Virginia Tech on Saturday night, but was able to advance through to the third round of the NCAA Tournament with a 3-0 (25-22, 25-22, 25-13) victory.

Virginia Tech came out firing in set one, keeping pace with Penn State throughout. After being tied at five, freshman Deja McClendon got a kill that started a 4-0 run for the Nittany Lions. Virginia Tech took a time-out, though, and Penn State could not hold on to the lead. The teams remained neck and neck for the remainder of the set, but the Nittany Lions finally got some breathing room after a kill from senior Blair Brown and a block from freshman Ariel Scott gave Penn State a 21-19 lead. Senior Arielle Wilson finished the set with a kill to give Penn State the 1-0 advantage.

Sloppy passing lead to an early second-set deficit for the Nittany Lions. Virginia Tech went up by as much as five points until Penn State went on a 9-3 run that gave them a 19-18 lead. The Nittany Lions held on to take set two, 25-22. Brown led the way for the Nittany Lions in the set with three kills and four blocks.

In set three, Virginia Tech finally ran out of steam. The set remained close for about ten points, but Wilson hit two kills to put the Nittany Lions up 14-11. Penn State never looked back, going on a 11-2 run to close out match. Virginia Tech was plagued by several double-touch calls that seemed to take their offense out of rhythm.

Brown led the Nittany Lions with 11 kills and six blocks. Sophomore Kristin Carpenter had a nice match at setter with 30 assists and four kills of her own. The Nittany Lions as a team hit at a .321 clip while holding Virginia Tech to just .157.

Penn State now advances to the NCAA Tournament third round against Oklahoma. The match will take place on Fri., Dec. 10, at Rec Hall at 7 p.m. The winner of this match-up will play the winner of the Duke vs. Missouri match on Sat., Dec. 11.