Friday’s senior night for the volleyball team proved to be no different than N.C. State’s other 13 home matches as Virginia Tech swept the Wolfpack 3-0 in Reynolds Coliseum. The loss drops State to 3-25 overall and 0-18 in ACC play this season.
Kasey Rhyne, Andrea Bentley and Ashley Wallace were all playing in their final home match.
Wallace led all players with 11 kills, while Bentley had eight digs — putting her in sole possession of ninth place all-time among N.C. State players with 1,120 career digs. After the match Bentley was most concerned about the dig she didn’t get.
“Maybe it was the one I had in the face,” she said, referring to a ball hit by a Tech attacker that struck her in the face before hitting the hardwood. “It’s great, just another way to remember my senior night.”
Rhyne also contributed statistically by picking up one of State’s four service aces on her senior night. The service line was a big factor in the match, as both teams combined for 13 aces and 13 errors on serve.
Freshman Lauren Zaniboni credited the loss to a breakdown of techniques.
“At points it was our passing breaking down, at other points it was our hitting.” she said. “I think overall our team just didn’t play as well as we could.”
Virginia Tech (13-14, 7-10 ACC) capitalized on the Pack’s .041 hitting percentage in the second game, posting a clip of .242 and winning 30-26. State posted 23 kills along with 20 errors while the Hokies collected 10 of its 15 blocks in the second game, which proved to be the closest contest of the night.
Tech didn’t take long collecting the sweep in the final game, surging ahead 22-14 before winning the game 30-19 and taking the match 3-0.
The loss on senior night was followed by a ceremony honoring the trio. The final home loss left the three seniors with mixed feelings, especially since the Pack hasn’t collected a home win since Sept. 2, 2006.
“It’s hard,” Bentley said. “We went out there giving it everything we had.”
The burden was equally shared by the underclassmen, according to Zaniboni.
“We came out and we fought for them,” she said. “We were definitely hoping for the at least one home victory this season.”
The loss also continued the team’s streak — 52 consecutive ACC losses, dating back to 2005.
“Just because we don’t win doesn’t mean we’re not doing everything possible to try to win,” Bentley said. “I wish I could have it the other way around, but I have no regrets.”
Asked how it felt to lose on her senior night, Wallace said it was nothing new.
“Pretty much the same way I felt my freshman year when we lost at home for the first time,” Wallace said. “It feels the same.”
While State’s chances at a home win this season are gone, there are still four ACC contests left this season. Along with matches against nationally-ranked Duke, the team will also play Miami and Wake Forest, both of which have losing records this season.
