In its final match of the Wolfpack Invitational at Reynolds Coliseum, NC State volleyball couldn’t get out of its own way as it fell 3-1 to Coastal Carolina.
The Chanticleers (7-2) came out of the gates hot, opening with an 8-2 run that forced NC State (6-2) to burn an early timeout. The Pack rallied but couldn’t get over the hole that it had dug itself, dropping the first set 25-22.
However, head coach Megan Wargo-Kearney’s new team has a relentless attitude. NC State struck back in the second set, dominating in a 25-15 victory that brought new life to the Wolfpack attack. All of a sudden, the game was in reach again.
Whatever adjustments Chanticleer coach Steve Loeswick made in the third set completely stumped the Wolfpack. Coastal again jumped out to a 7-1 lead as NC State buried itself early. Full of errors and sloppy plays, the red-and-white simply had no response for the red-hot Chanticleers as they dominated a 25-18 third set.
Neither team led by more than two for the majority of the fourth set. A back and forth battle, NC State finally rallied for a 23-18 lead and looked like it would force a match-deciding fifth set. But it got too confident, allowing six unanswered points and quickly forfeiting the lead. It regained its footing, but it was too little too late as Coastal took both the fourth set and the match with a 30-28 final score.
Though a tough loss, positives still shined through for the Wolfpack. Senior outside hitter and star player Courtney Bryant marked her career-high in kills with 21, shattering her previous record of 17. Bryant has been the focal point of the Wolfpack attack, making plays whenever needed.
The Robin to her Batman, freshman opposite Jordan Smith added 14 kills, but the two simply couldn’t make up for NC State’s lack of defense. Both Bryant and Smith’s performances earned them a spot on the All-Tournament team, marking the only players in the red-and-white to receive the accolade.
A loss is always difficult for any team, but the future is still bright for the Wolfpack. Wargo-Kearney has revolutionized the team, shooting out to a 6-2 start — including a 5-1 home record — before conference play. The toughest still lies ahead, but early domination is a good sign for a team coming off an NCAA Tournament appearance.
NC State will look to rebound when it travels to Richmond, Virginia on Sept. 20 for the VCU Invitational, facing VCU at 6 p.m.
