Two’s company, three’s a crowd and four is a party.
It was a party for NC State volleyball, which is rolling down the final stretch of the season, sinking Virginia Tech 3-0 for its fourth win in a row, all of which came on the road.
The Wolfpack’s (15-13, 8-10 ACC) strong blocking set the tone early against the Hokies (11-18, 3-15 ACC), while a diverse attack provided another edge against the team celebrating senior day. Five NC State players posted five or more kills. NC State notched 12 block assists and two solo blocks, and hit 20.6% as a team for 45 kills. Following up a 20-kill game against Virginia, freshman outside hitter Rebecca Ring starred again with 14 of those 45 kills, the most on the team and her 12th double-digit total this season.
Down one in extra points, NC State went where it usually does, serving to Ring three times in a row to tie, moved to match point and then won the set 28-26. Ring has settled into her role as a high volume hitter with 269 kills on 773 attempts this season.
As senior outside hitter Courtney Bryant uses her final season of eligibility, Ring is positioned to be the go-to attacking option next season. Her wingspan contributes to a long wind-up that challenges blockers by making them adjust to a different timing than most hitters offer.
Middle blockers, freshman Talia Francom and senior Lily Cropper, offered contrasting looks from the position. Cropper’s five blocks in the first set punished Virginia Tech for hitting into the Wolfpack’s blockers as a primary offensive approach, while efficient hitting from Francom forced the Hokies to mind their gaps when going up at the net, as she scored six kills on 11 attempts.
Bryant posted a double-double with 10 kills and 10 digs, and didn’t reward Virginia Tech for trying to serve to her. She also added three blocks to the Wolfpack’s block party, including one on Virginia Tech’s Payton Woods to end the second set 25-20.
With the result, NC State can end the season at .500 in conference with wins in its two remaining contests, while Virginia Tech still looks for a fourth conference win — something the team hasn’t managed since 2022.
The Wolfpack ends its five-game road trip in Coral Gables, with a 2 p.m. start time against No. 14 Miami on Wednesday, Nov. 26. The Hurricanes swept NC State when the teams played at Reynolds Coliseum earlier this season.
