NC State volleyball’s 10-game win streak was snapped in an exhilarating 3-1 loss in Atlanta, against the No. 13 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. Despite the loss, the Pack was able to win one set against a nationally ranked team, which is an accomplishment of its own.
The Wolfpack (11-2, 1-1 ACC) came into this game riding a high after beating Clemson 3-0 on Friday, Sept. 22, while Georgia Tech (11-1, 2-0 ACC) was on a three-game win streak. Junior outside hitter Martyna Leoniak led the red-and-white with 17 kills — a new season high — and was followed closely by junior opposite hitter Amanda Rice with 15.
The loss might have snapped the Pack’s winning streak, but NC State isn’t contemptuous with the result. Up against a top-15 team, the red-and-white was able to hold its own for the majority of the game, keeping the Yellow Jackets’ defense on its toes.
The first set saw the momentum on the Pack’s side of the court, as a 4-1 start got the game going for the visiting team. Junior middle blocker Jada Allen kept the momentum on the serving line as she tallied three service aces in the first set alone. NC State kept the lead until Georgia Tech tied it at 7-7, but from there it was a back-and-forth battle. The Pack went on a 5-0 tear at the end of the set to go from 24-18 to 24-23 in an attempt to stave off a Yellow Jacket win, but ultimately the home team came out on top.
The second set was similar to the first — complete with a service ace from senior defensive specialist Skye Stokes — but the Yellow Jackets stayed ahead for the majority of the set. The Pack was able to go on two 4-0 scoring runs, which are hard to come by in the ACC.
In the third set, both teams continued to battle hard to stay on top. Both the Pack and Yellow Jackets struggled with errors — NC State finished the set with six attack errors and four service errors. To the surprise of the home crowd, the red-and-white unexpectedly lit fire and knocked a set off of the nationally ranked Yellow Jackets.
However, Georgia Tech took the fourth and final set 25-21, finishing the game 3-1. 18 of the 21 points NC State scored this set came off of kills, showing the Wolfpack’s offensive capabilities.
ACC play continues this week for the Wolfpack as Notre Dame comes to Raleigh to take on the red-and-white on Friday, Sept. 29. First serve is set for 1 p.m.
