125: Matt Snyder (Virginia) vs. No. 15 Jarrod Garnett (Virginia Tech)
Virginia Tech should get the decision here with Garnett holding the advantage in the neutral position. Snyder, however is a game and dangerous opponent who is coming off of a victory over ranked opponent Garrett Frey (No. 14) of Princeton. Snyder's strength is from the top position where he rides tough and has excellent turning combinations. Garnett however, should win the takedown battle and takes a 6-3 decision for an early Hokie lead.
133: Joe Spisak (Virginia) vs. No. 10 Devin Carter (Virginia Tech)
In a battle of true freshman, Carter should shine here. He has shown an aggressive, physical style that has adapted very well to the college game. Look for this match to be decided from the feet as well as Carter dominates this position and picks up a major decision for Tech 11-3 to give the Hokies a 7-0 lead in the match.
141: Gus Sako (Virginia) vs. Zach Neibert (Virginia Tech)
Another freshman battle. Neibert filled in for the slumping Chris Diaz (No. 19) against Lehigh and provided a huge spark with a first period pin in 55 seconds over Stephen Dutton. Sako is having a successful freshman campaign as well for the Cavaliers and this should be considered a tossup match that will be a key win for either team. I am calling a close decision here for Sako, who is coming off of a loss against Princeton over the high-flying Neibert but this match will a fun one to watch. Sako 6-5 and team score 7-3.
149: Derek Valenti (Virginia) vs. No. 9 Brian Stephens (Virginia Tech)
Stephens is another of Coach Dresser's underclassmen that has looked good this year after an impressive freshman season. He is very strong at 149 and makes his opponents work extremely hard for any offensive points. Valenti is a tough draw however and also does not give up a lot of easy points. Look for this to be another hard fought match that should be low scoring with Stephens coming out on top by a slim margin, 4-5. Tech up 10-3.
157: Nicky Gordon/Shawn Harris (Virginia) vs. No. 6 Jesse Dong (Virginia Tech)
Since having his redshirt removed, Dong has picked up right where he left off last season as a solid top 10 contender. Except for a lackluster performance against Corey Mock of UNC which resulted in his lone loss, he has dominated lesser opponents, picking up bonus points with consistency for his team. In spite of this, he will face a game opponent in either Harris or Gordon and will likely not be able get more than a decision here. Dong, 8-3, pushing the Hokies lead in the match to 13-3.
165: Jedd Moore (Virginia) vs. No. 15 Pete Yates (Virginia Tech)
Moore has battled injuries after redshirting his second year as a Cavalier but looks to be working back into form. Yates has had his share of struggles as well with injury (knee) but has had a solid season thus far and would be considered the favorite in this matchup. If there is a potential upset in Saturday's contest, however, this is it. Remember that Moore is the guy who beat then No. 2 Dan Vallimont from Penn State two years ago as a true freshman. Moore likes a Russian two on one tie from the neutral position and can give opponents fits with this. Yates may certainly be more than up to the task but I am calling this one for Moore, 8-5 to narrow the gap a bit to VT 13-UVA 6.
174: No. 4 Chris Henrich (Virginia) vs. Matt Epperly (Virginia Tech)
This matchup, on the other hand, is definitely NOT the spot to pick an upset. Epperly is certainly capable of the big upset, just ask Mike Benefiel, but it won't happen Saturday at 174. Henrich loses only to quickness and scrambles that very few guys at this weight class have in their arsenal. He is too strong and too solid in every position for Epperly to put him in any real danger in this match. Epperly has also shown himself historically to be vulnerable to cradles and I am predicting this one to end by fall for Henrich making the match score VT 13-UVA 12. All of the sudden, we have a barn-burner!
184: No. 18 John Fausey (Virginia) vs. John Dickson (Virginia Tech)
With Tommy Spellman out with a career ending neck injury, John Dickson has had to step up at 184 and has wrestled hard for the Hokies but Fausey is having a stellar redshirt freshman season with a record of 21-6 and all but one of his losses coming against opponents ranked higher than him. Look for another solid win here for Fausey, 7-3, giving the Cavaliers their first lead of the match. VT 13 - UVA 15.
197: Mike Salopek (Virginia) vs. Chris Penny (Virginia Tech)
This matchup is particularly interesting because I believe the outcome may hinge on which wrestler Virginia sends to the mat. Salopek has seen intermittent action this year but is the Cavalier that poses the bigger problems for Penny who is big, long and physical. If Salopek is unable to go, then Doty will likely wrestle up again from his more natural class at 174. Doty would start in a lot of D1 programs were he not behind Henrich but will have problems with Penny's size. I will assume Salopek gets the nod and performs like he is capable of to notch the 6-5 decision for Virginia pushing their team lead to 5 points. VT 13 - UVA 18.
285: Jack Danilkowicz (Virginia) vs. David Marone (Virginia Tech)
The heavyweight match is a tossup with two solid guys with similar records and styles squaring off. Marone will be looking for the fall to win the match but Danilkowicz is too seasoned of a senior to put himself in danger. Marone gets the decision with one of his points coming via stall against Virginia.
The defending ACC champion Cavaliers pull off the mini-upset in enemy territory Saturday, defeating Virginia Tech by a final score of 18-16. The dual win, however, will be the last time this season that UVA finishes above the Hokies as Dresser's young grapplers will prove to be the better tournament team in March at the ACC tournament and later in Philadelphia.
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