Pink filled historic Reynolds Coliseum Friday night as women’s volleyball hosted its second annual Dig Pink event against Maryland. outside hitter Kelly Wood said the team was excited about not only playing at home, but also playing for a good cause.
“All of us were excited,” Wood said. “It’s exciting to wear pink, to represent N.C. State, to represent Kay Yow and to honor her.”
The Pack opened the match in a tight set, which included seven tie scores. With the score tied 24-24, a kill from senior middle blocker Lisa Kretchman and an attack error by Maryland combined to give the set to State, 26-24.
In the second set, the team was able to carry through the momentum they had from the first set into the second. The Wolfpack jumped out to a 10-4 lead and never looked back. A match-high .480 hitting along with a Maryland match-low .189 hitting gave the Pack the second set 25-17.
“We definitely came out with a lot of energy and the momentum was definitely on our side,” Kretchman said.
Coach Charita Stubbs said the team’s success in the first two sets was the result of good preparation.
“We followed the scouting report and we actually believed in ourselves the entire time,” Stubbs said.
A different team returned to the court for N.C. State following the break after the second set, a less intense team according to Stubbs.
“We got lax,” Stubbs said. “We expected them to do the same thing they did before and give up.”
Maryland did not give up. After the Pack earned a 9-8 lead, Maryland was able to capitalize on three straight N.C. State attack errors to gain a lead they would not lose, grabbing the set 25-19.
The fourth set was close in the beginning with the teams exchanging blows to a 9-9 tie. Maryland however went on a 16-3 run to earn the set 25-12. The Pack hit a match low .000 in the set, with just six kills and six attack errors.
“After the break the momentum kind of switched and we weren’t able to pick it back up,” Kretchman said. “Little things just started to break down and we weren’t able to finish.”
By the fifth set, the momentum was fully in favor of the Terps. Maryland was able to easily capture the set 15-5, hitting .706 and committing zero attack errors.
“[Maryland] expected to come in here and win,” Stubbs said. “So when they were down 2-0, they were just like, ‘Whatever, we’ll come back and still win.'”
Stubbs said the comeback was enabled by proper adjustments by the Terrapins and a lack of adjustments by the Pack.
“They started making adjustments and we did not do it at all,” Stubbs said. “Too many balls hit the floor without an effort.”
Wood was one of the few bright spots for the team, notching 18 kills and 11 digs, but Wood said the individual statistics don’t matter.
“It doesn’t matter to me,” Wood said. “We lost.”
Wood does say that the team’s performance in the first two sets does send a message to the ACC.
“We’re not just going to lay down,” Wood said. “We’re going to fight until the end.”
Stubbs said the first two sets show how close the team is to pulling out wins.
“The fact is that we know we’re so close,” Stubbs said. “The key is for [the team] to believe we’re that close.”
The team followed up its emotional game against Maryland with a 3-0 loss at the hands of Boston College. After the weekend, State’s record drops to 7-12 (0-4 ACC), with the team hitting the road next weekend with games at Virginia and Virginia Tech.
“We can’t dwell on anything,” Kretchman said. “Knowing what we have to do, coming out and going strong and making sure we finish will be important.”
