When NC State and Virginia Tech step onto the mat, you know you're getting the ACC’s version of a heavyweight title fight. Friday night in Blacksburg was no exception - two unbeaten teams, two elite programs, and one gritty showdown with serious implications for the regular-season crown.
This time, it was the Hokies who walked away with the edge, grinding out a 21-12 win over the Wolfpack. Virginia Tech took six of ten bouts and added bonus points in key moments, delivering a performance that showed why they’re a handful for anyone in the country. For NC State, it was a reminder that while this team has plenty of firepower, there’s still work to be done.
“Losing is never a good feeling,” head coach Pat Popolizio said after the match. “We did some good things and obviously some things we need to work on. That’s why you wrestle a team like Virginia Tech - they brought their A game.”
The dual opened with fireworks at 125 pounds, featuring two of the best in the nation. NC State’s No.
5 Vince Robinson, the reigning national champ, squared off with No. 3 Eddie Ventresca in a clash that lived up to the billing.
The two battled deep into overtime, but once again, Ventresca found a way - edging Robinson 3-2 and improving to 4-0 against him. If there’s a rivalry to circle for March, this is it.
Another marquee bout came at 149, where No. 5 Koy Buesgens came out firing for the Wolfpack.
He nearly notched a first-period takedown, but Virginia Tech’s No. 9 Collin Gaj flipped the script in the second period and never looked back, winning a 6-0 decision.
That swing was emblematic of the night - NC State had its moments, but the Hokies capitalized when it counted.
The Pack dropped matches at 133, 157, 184, and 197 pounds - and the bonus points at 133 and 157 really stung. It’s one thing to lose a close decision, but when you give up extra points, the deficit grows fast. And against a team as deep and disciplined as Virginia Tech, that’s a tough hill to climb.
“We buried a hole,” Popolizio said. “We kinda dug our way out a little bit. We’ve got things we’ve got to work on and stuff that I think we’ll be able to see in a couple weeks.”
But this wasn’t a one-sided affair - NC State had its bright spots, starting with the 165-pound battle. No.
13 Will Denny, a freshman who’s quickly becoming a name to watch, showed poise beyond his years. Down early to No.
12 Ryan Burton, Denny rallied late and sealed the deal with a clutch takedown in the final seconds to win 8-5.
“He gives up that takedown,” Popolizio said. “He did a really good job of resetting, getting that escape and then not just trying to take it to overtime, but scoring and getting that takedown to win that match.”
At 174, No. 6 Matty Singleton delivered one of the gutsiest wins of the night.
Facing No. 31 Sergio DeSiante, Singleton found himself in a grind-it-out type of match.
It wasn’t flashy, but it was gritty - and when it mattered most, he made the key move to pull out a 5-4 win.
“He’s a competitor, he wants to win,” Popolizio said. “That came down to will to win. It was a tough way to score points; he basically found a way to get to the guy’s legs… and then to get his riding time point.”
Rounding out the Wolfpack’s wins were two veterans with postseason aspirations. No.
13 Ryan Jack handled business at 141, and No. 2 Isaac Trumble capped the night with a strong showing in the heavyweight bout.
Both are poised to make serious noise in the ACC and beyond - and performances like this only build momentum heading into the heart of the season.
Off the mat, the night carried extra meaning for the Wolfpack. It was Military Appreciation Night - a tradition that runs deep in the NC State wrestling program. Coach Popolizio has long emphasized the connection between wrestling and the military, and the team has personal ties that make the evening even more significant.
“I’ve always been a big proponent of the military and supporting it,” Popolizio said. “We have a lot of connections - one just wrestling in general, and then I’ve had a lot of guys that wrestled for me that served. I’ve lost a couple guys, lost a Navy SEAL when I was at Binghamton, when I came here - so we keep those guys in mind.”
Next up, NC State hits the road for a big-time matchup against No. 14 Pitt.
The Wolfpack has taken the last six against the Panthers, but with the ACC standings tightening up, every match from here on out carries weight. That dual is set for Friday, Feb. 6 at 7 p.m. on ACC Network.
This one didn’t go NC State’s way - but with talent across the lineup and key wrestlers finding their form, don’t count the Pack out. There’s still plenty of season left, and this group looks like one that’s not done climbing.