After falling to Boston College on Friday, Nov. 3 in five grueling sets, NC State volleyball took the Eagles on in a rematch. The Pack was in full form during the matchup, dominating on the service line and at the net. With revenge on the mind, the red-and-white took down Boston College in four sets.
NC State (19-7, 9-6 ACC) was looking to make its final case for a trip to the NCAA women’s volleyball tournament, but the Eagles (16-13, 5-10 ACC) were not going to make it easy for the visiting Pack. Boston College’s outside hitter Audrey Ross was a tough opponent throughout the matchup, but junior opposite hitter Amanda Rice, sophomore outside hitter Ava Brizard and junior outside hitter Martyna Leoniak came in full force across the net.
The Eagles took the first set 25-22 in similar fashion to the matchup in Raleigh, but the Pack battled hard and tough. There were 15 scoring ties and five lead changes throughout the 25 points, proving that neither team would back down. Rice and Brizard totaled a combined eight kills and junior middle blocker Jada Allan landed a service ace.
Service aces became NC State’s forte this game — totaling 11 by the end of the matchup. Senior defensive specialist Skye Stokes led the team with seven, becoming fourth most in a single matchup in NC State program history. After the first set, the Wolfpack took over in scoring, winning the next three sets to secure the victory.
The Eagles got out to a quick 5-1 lead in the second set, but a 5-0 scoring run from the Pack brought the red-and-white into the lead. Sophomore middle blocker Lily Cropper got to display her talents at the net this set, racking up multiple block assists next to Leoniak. NC State won the set 25-20, determined to carry over its momentum in the next set.
With Brizard and Rice working together at the net, the third set also ended in the Pack’s favor. The pair recorded six of the Pack’s 11 kills in this set, elevating their team’s play. Senior setter Naomi Cabello notched a kill along with 15 assists during the match.
The fourth and final set was all NC State. Jumping to an impressive 18-9 lead over Boston College, the Pack saw Leoniak come out of her shell and dominate the court with back to back-to-back kills. She also dished out the killing blow to the Eagles, hitting the final kill to take the set 25-18 and the match 3-1.
NC State had a strong net presence throughout the match, totaling 22 block assists, with 10 coming in the first set. Cropper finished the game with eight, followed by redshirt junior outside hitter Madison Williams with four.
There are only three games left in the regular season for the Pack, leaving no room for error. NC State will travel to Blacksburg, Virginia to take on the Virginia Tech Hokies on Sunday, Nov. 12 at 12 p.m.
