Junior outside hitter Julia Brown raises both hands into the air and cheers after the Wolfpack team won a point against Syracuse at Reynolds Coliseum Oct. 21. Brown achieved five spikes, 31 kills and two blocks. The Wolfpack won the game against Syracuse 3-2." />
Sally Tung
Junior outside hitter Julia Brown raises both hands into the air and cheers after the Wolfpack team won a point against Syracuse at Reynolds Coliseum Oct. 21. Brown achieved five spikes, 31 kills and two blocks. The Wolfpack won the game against Syracuse 3-2.
The NC State volleyball team defeated Duke 3-1 Saturday in its regular-season finale in Reynolds Coliseum.
The Wolfpack (20-12, 13-7 ACC) achieved a program record of most ACC wins in a season as it defeated the Blue Devils (21-9, 15-5 ACC). Junior outside hitter Julia Brown tallied 24 kills with 11 digs and 25.5 points on the night.
“[The game] was so much fun,” Brown said. “Maggie [Speaks] and I have connected very well this season and it has really came together especially at the end of this season.”
Before the start of the match, head coach Linda Hampton-Keith handed flowers to Duke’s seniors.
“I have great respect for all our conference opponents, certainly the seniors,” Hampton-Keith said. “It is [Duke’s seniors] last match as well and they don’t get the luxury of being at home.”
The opening set saw plenty of intensity and high energy, as it saw both teams scream loudly after winning a point. The Blue Devils were able to gain the lead, 15-12 before the first timeout was called.
NC State fought back hard and went on a 10-6 run to take a late lead, then finished strong and took the first set, 25-23. Sophomore middle blocker Teni Sopitan led the way with five kills and the team tallied two team blocks.
Neither team could get off to a hot start in the beginning of the second set. The Pack was able to spark a small run to take the lead 14-9, the run was led by Brown as she tallied seven kills with no errors during the run.
The Pack was able to maintain its lead as it won the second set, 25-16. Brown played an outstanding second set, tallying 10 kills in the set with no errors.
“Surely I hope [Brown] has built the resume that is deserving of recognition,” Hampton-Keith said. “[The team] feel pretty confident that is what [Brown] has done.”
The Pack was able to gain an early lead in the third set, 12-8 but there were four lead changes before the Pack was able to solidify more than a two-point lead. However, Duke did not let up, as they went on a 6-2 run to even up the score at 14.
The Blue Devils successfully pulled off the comeback and won the third set, 25-20. Sophomore middle blocker Leah Meyer and senior middle blocker Jordan Tucker tallied four kills each in the third set with no errors for the Blue Devils.
The fourth set was filled with determination from both teams, before any team tallied ten points there were five ties and four lead changes. Each point earned in the set entailed a long rally before the point was earned, the Pack was able to gain the lead, 10-9.
The Pack was able to close out the match on a kill and win the set, 25-21. The winning effort was led by the seniors, libero Rachel Eppley and setter Maggie Speaks as they controlled the team’s emotions throughout the tightly contested match.
“What a great way to send our seniors off,” Hampton-Keith said. “You couldn’t ask for a better way the season here, it was awesome.”
As the team got the last kill, Speaks and Eppley broke out into tears as they realized that they will not be able to suit up with the Pack and play in Reynolds anymore.
“Senior day was awesome,” Speaks said. “This is the last time I’ll be playing in Reynolds. That was it, that was the point that I am going to remember forever. Four years just hit me all at once.”
“It was perfect, more than I can imagine it to be,” Eppley said.
The Wolfpack was able to notch a 20-win season and hopes that accomplishment opens the door for a spot in the NCAA Tournament.