Facing its third straight top-10 opponent, NC State volleyball again measured itself against one of the nation’s best. And though the Wolfpack fell in four sets to No. 5 Stanford on Friday night, first-year head coach Megan Wargo-Kearney’s attention remains on the future.
“We’ve got to keep this young crew together,” Wargo-Kearney said. “Every match we’ve played [against] a top 10 team, we’re getting a little better. Can we sustain it now?”
The Cardinal (19-3, 10-1 ACC) outpaced the Wolfpack (10-11, 3-8 ACC) in every statistical category, but NC State showed flashes of growth, particularly in the second set, which it claimed 25-21. Freshman opposite hitter Jordan Smith and senior outside hitter Courtney Bryant led the way with 13 and 12 kills, respectively.
One rally midway through the first set captured what Wargo-Kearney has been preaching. Redshirt junior defensive specialist Elaisa Villar’s diving save sparked a 41-second rally, ending with a Stanford error off an attack from Smith.
It may not have been pretty but dang was it gritty pic.twitter.com/OJSt8NWhRh
— Wolfpack Volleyball (@PackVball) October 31, 2025
It was just one point, but the sequence reflected a persistence in the Pack that has quietly sharpened during this stretch against top-tier competition.
The loss marked NC State’s third straight against a top-10 opponent, following matchups with No. 4 Pitt and No. 7 SMU. In such a demanding stretch for a young roster, one that has revealed the program’s growing pains and potential, it’s been difficult to find rhythm.
“I don’t think our résumé is a tournament team, and I think that we’re very realistic about that,” Wargo-Kearney said. “Do I think at times we’ve played, in a way, that we could be in the tournament? Absolutely.”
Still, her focus extends beyond this season, challenging her seniors to think about what their performance now means for the foundation ahead.
“I don’t think any of us are naïve to think, ‘Oh, yeah, we’re gonna make the tournament,’” Wargo-Kearney said. “But it’s, ‘What can your legacy be to lead this team to the tournament next year and the following year and to do these things?’”
As the Wolfpack enters the final month, Wargo-Kearney’s focus remains clear: keep the group together, keep learning and lay a foundation for what’s next.
“I keep telling them they’ve got to stick with it, and I know what this is gonna look like in the future,” Wargo-Kearney said.
NC State now turns to Cal on Sunday, with the first serve set for 1 p.m.
