NC State volleyball came back to Reynolds looking for revenge after losing to Wake Forest earlier in the week, and the Wolfpack found it. The Demon Deacons swept the teams’ first matchup three sets to none, but the Pack claimed the rematch 3-1.
“On Wednesday, we were playing not to lose, but tonight, we played to win,” said head coach Megan Wargo-Kearney.
The Wolfpack (9-7, 2-4 ACC) earned its second conference win with this victory over the Demon Deacons (8-9, 2-4 ACC). Usual attacking output from senior outside hitter Courtney Bryant and freshman outside hitter Rebecca Ring was supplemented by a career-high 12 kills from freshman opposite hitter Sa’mya Dorsey. NC State’s combined attack made Wake Forest look uncomfortable.
“We did a good job knocking them out of the system, which made them more one-dimensional,” Wargo-Kearney said.
The first set was packed. Back-to-back challenges went the Wolfpack’s way to set the team up for a win, but just like when these teams played their last game against each other, the Deacons sent it to extra points.
“We wanted revenge,” Ring said. “It’s not often that you get to play the same opponent back to back.”
That started with a flip of the first-set script. Unlike in its loss to Wake Forest, the Wolfpack took care of business and took the set 27-25. It was just as much defense as it was offense that put the Wolfpack ahead.
“Our defense was covering me so well,” Ring said. “I felt confident in going up and taking big rips.”
A timeout called after a 5-0 opening run for the Deacons didn’t help the Wolfpack catch up, and the red-and-white was eventually worn down by Wake Forest’s consistent defense.
Still, the team, who donned green ribbons today for mental health awareness, kept their spirits up on the sideline, dancing to the DJ’s selection in between plays and throughout breaks.
“We ride off each other and use each other’s energy,” Ring said.
The third set is where NC State turned a corner, getting through Wake Forest’s blocking and keeping the Deacons on their toes (or diving to the ground).
“We came out with just a little bit more fire,” Ring said.
They left the burner on through the fourth set, only trailing once. Booming hits from Bryant kept the pressure on, and the crowd rose to their feet for the set and match point.
A service error for Wake Forest and a “Wolfpack win, Wolfpack win,” from the announcer on the sideline signaled the end of the match.
The Wolfpack looks to build a winning streak in their next game on Friday, Oct. 17th, against the Clemson Tigers at home.
