NC State volleyball won two of three games this past weekend in Dallas, Texas for the SMU Doubletree Classic. The team defeated SMU 3-1 and Arkansas State 3-2, only falling to No. 15 Creighton 3-0.
On Friday, the Wolfpack (3-2) started the weekend against SMU (1-4) where the Pack made an offensive statement. Senior middle blocker Teni Sopitan led the Pack in attacks with 15 kills and freshman outside hitter Jade Parchment followed with 12 kills. The team also had the aid of six service aces while SMU had none, allowing the Pack to control the game offensively.
When the team had the offensive control, the Wolfpack was able to take the first set 25-18, clinch the third set 25-23 and finish off the match in the fourth set 25-20. The Pack only gave up the second set by a close margin of 25-21.
While the team had the stronger offense, scoring 57 kills, the team was out-blocked 13-9. The Pack’s lead blocker was graduate middle blocker Keira Moore who managed to rack up six of the nine blocks.
Following the 3-1 win against SMU, the Wolfpack turned its attention to Creighton (4-2) Friday night.
The ranked team proved to be a challenge for NC State as the Blue Jays were able to sweep the Pack in three sets. The first set being lost 25-19. The following two sets were much closer in score and proved to be a good challenge for the Wolfpack to prove that it can play against the ranked teams in the NCAA division.
The Pack lost the second set 25-21, but the team had eight more kills than Creighton. Parchment led the Pack’s offense with 13 kills. The downfall of the second set came from the amount of errors. The Pack recorded 10 errors compared to Creighton’s impressive one error.
Overall, the Pack had a strong offense as the team had five more kills than Creighton over the span of three sets. The third set was a close 25-22 in scoring.
Yet, Creighton had four more blocks, three more service aces and four more digs, small parts of the game that make a large impact when both teams have a strong offense. It comes down to finding the weak links in the defense to outdo the other team.
Wrapping up the tournament on Saturday, the Wolfpack defeated Arkansas State (2-4) in an exciting five-set match.
The Pack was able to take control of the first two sets at 25-19 and 25-20 with ease. Sophomore outside hitter Melissa Evans recorded 16 kills with 11 kills by Sopitan and Parchment scoring 10 kills.
Senior setter Kylie Pickrell had four of the eight service aces and Parchment and junior middle blocker Lauryn Terry each had five blocks. Blocks were the only part of the game that the team was outdone in but also showed the most improvement from its previous matches.
The third and fourth sets were close but the Pack fell slightly behind Arkansas State. The third set was a close 25-23. The fourth set was nearly as close, 25-22.
With the score tied 2-2, a fifth set was played which neither team was going to relinquish a point too easily and ended the set for a close victory 15-13.
Over the weekend, the Wolfpack displayed improvement in its gameplay by strengthening its offense and cleaning up its defense.
The Pack will return home to play a doubleheader against Wright State and Utah Valley at Reynolds Coliseum this Friday starting at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. respectively.
