The volleyball team lost in straight games to Virginia last night, 3-0. With this loss, N.C. State’s conference losing streak hit 51 matches. The Wolfpack’s record is now 3-24 overall and 0-17 in the ACC.
The Pack had high hopes after taking Boston College to four games on Sunday. Yet tonight the Pack walked on the court unprepared even during warm-up, according to coach Charita Stubbs.
Players echoed Stubbs’ opinion of the team’s preparation heading into the match.
“I don’t think we mentally prepared well at all for tonight, we didn’t come out like we did at BC,” freshman Lauren Zaniboni said.
According to sophomore outside hitter Chrissy Zirpolo, State had good communication and cooperation in the first game.
“Before each game we work with our partners, and we try to communicate with them as much as we can,” Zirpolo said. “Just give them some constructive criticism.”
The Pack’s teamwork was on display in the first game when junior middle blocker Aiwane Iboaya managed a strong kill into the center of court. The spike landed untouched by two diving Virginia players.
The first game was close in score until the end, when many of State’s serves and kills went out of bounds. State lost the first game 30-22.
The mental breakdown wasn’t noticeable until halfway through the second game. State had the momentum after being ahead the first half of the second game. Coming off a three-point lead, freshman Carlee Fowler spiked the ball into the net, killing the Pack’s energy.
Moments later, the momentum quickly flipped to the Virginia, which won the game 30-16.
“Toward the end [of the second game] our serve receive broke down,” Zirpolo said. “When that breaks down, we can’t keep going.”
The third game was short-lived with a slow start from the Wolfpack. Minutes into the game, Virginia was already up 18-4. It looked as though State wouldn’t score 10 points. The last time the Pack failed to score 10 points was against Wake Forest on Oct. 6, State lost 30-9 in the third game against the Demon Deacons.
The Wolfpack rallied in the third game against the Cavs, but lost the game 30-16.
“I was very disappointed in the way the team played tonight,” Stubbs said. “They were not mentally prepared at all, and they just went out there and went through the motions.”
Despite another loss, the players said they are keeping their heads up and looking at their improvements since the beginning of the season.
“One of the things we definitely improved upon was teamwork,” Zaniboni said. “It showed at the BC game, but tonight it didn’t show as much in the score, but we are definitely talking more than we used to.”
Stubbs said the team must move on and get ready for Friday’s home match against Virginia Tech, which will be senior night for the Pack.
“We just discussed that today is over and done with, and we have one match left to play in front of our crowd and send our seniors off in style,” Stubbs said.
Looking toward the rest of the season the team is still in search of its first ACC win.
According to Zaniboni, any team can beat anyone on any given night.
Stubbs said she’s confident the team can pull out an ACC win this season.
“We’re still searching for that win, and I don’t care if it comes in the last match, but we’re going to get it,” she said.
