What’s happened?

The streak continues. After losing to Duke and Wake Forest last weekend, N.C. State’s women’s volleyball team has now lost 13 straight matches. Since beginning the season 3-1, the team’s record now stands at 3-14 with its last win coming on Aug. 25. Additionally, the team is still searching for its first conference win after 41 consecutive defeats dating back to the 2005-2006 season.

Despite their losses, freshman setter Alex Smith said the team is making progress.

“I really don’t think anything is going wrong,” Smith said. “I think it’s pretty unrealistic of people to think ‘we got 10 new freshman, we’re going to win.’ We are making small improvements. I think we’re doing fine.”

Who’s hot?

Freshman Lauren Zaniboni led the team against Duke and Wake Forest with 15 and nine kills in each match respectively. After last weekend, Zaniboni now has 194 kills on the season, which is tops on the team.

“Since I came here, I have learned twice as much as I knew about volleyball,” Zaniboni said. “[Coach Charita Stubbs] has taught me so much. So have all the other coaches. I have improved more than I expected to. There is so much I need to learn still. The more you know, the better you’ll be.”

Who’s not?

The Wolfpack hasn’t showed up in the clutch recently. State has lost the final game in the past three matches by a combined score of 44-90. After losing 30-16 and 30-19 in the final games against Maryland and Duke respectively, the Pack dropped its third and final game against Wake Forest with a score of 30-9.

Sophomore Chrissy Zirpolo said the team loses its poise at the end of games.

“It’s very frustrating. We get really close, and basically, we just freak out toward the end,” she said. “We just don’t stay calm.”

What’s next?

State begins a two-game road trip when it plays Virginia in Charlottesville, Va. on Friday followed by Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Va. on Saturday. Virginia (5-2, 10-6) is currently 3rd in the ACC standings while Virginia Tech (3-4, 9-8) is 6th.