NC State volleyball struggled to create on offense against No. 7 SMU, posting just seven points in the third set and falling in straight sets.
The Wolfpack (10-10, 3-7 ACC) sought to make a statement win, but couldn’t stop the Mustangs’ (16-4, 8-2 ACC) firepower, allowing significant runs that killed its chances of even winning a set. NC State has now lost three consecutive matches and is picking up the wrong kind of momentum needed for its strenuous ACC schedule.
The match unraveled in the third set, as the Wolfpack allowed an 11-2 run that exploded into a 21-5 point lead and nailed its coffin shut. The defense was just a step slow, and since the Pack couldn’t stop SMU, it had gotten into its own head towards the end of the match.
The offense paced well, keeping it very close with the Mustangs in the majority of the first set and showed promise of a competitive game. But the Wolfpack’s lack of defense led to its demise as it was unable to allow for an offensive reset, resulting in just a seven-point third set.
The Wolfpack showed flashes of potential in the first set, starting the game with a 6-3 lead after an ace from junior opposite hitter Clara Vondran. The Pack matched SMU, exchanging points with the Mustangs until a tie at 14 apiece. However, an SMU run swelled the lead to 20-16, and a series of service errors from the Pack allowed for the Mustangs to take the first set.
The Wolfpack couldn’t stop the bleeding on Sunday, and in return, couldn’t compete with the firepower a team like SMU brings. Mustang opposite hitter Malaya Jones had quite the day, totaling 16 kills on 20 attacks with just one error. Her teammate Christa Wilburn also had a good performance, marking 11 kills on 27 attacks with three errors.
The same good performances couldn’t be seen from the Wolfpack, as senior opposite hitter Courtney Bryant was not her usual self. She posted eight kills on 30 attacks with five errors, a lackluster performance from one of head coach Megan Wargo-Kearney’s leaders and it affected the team’s performance.
In terms of serving, it was an overall clean day for the Wolfpack, as it totaled seven service errors compared to its 16 attack errors. Still, it wasn’t enough as the offense had 27 kills while SMU nearly doubled its total with 47. The difference was too large, and speaks greatly to why the Mustangs dominated.
After dropping games to SMU and Pitt on this road trip, the team now turns its focus to Stanford on Oct. 31 in Reynolds Coliseum. First serve is set for 7 p.m.
