N.C. State will face two nationally-ranked teams this weekend as it travels to Gainesville, Fla., for the University of Florida Tournament.

The Wolfpack comes out of its first competition of the season at the North Carolina Central Tournament last weekend with an overall record of 3-1. Today, State will be up against No. 19 Santa Clara and No. 7 Florida.

Middle hitter Aiwane Iboaya said the team is looking forward to facing the tough opposition.

“It’ll raise our standards and definitely bring out the best in us,” Iboaya said. “The better a team you play, the better you play.”

For the freshmen on the team, this tournament is an opportunity to grow and gain experience, players said. Outside hitter Lauren Zaniboni is already a team leader in kills, but said she struggles with nerves in the early stages of her college career.

“It’s my first time traveling and my first time playing against a big crowd,” Zaniboni said. “I’ll just be trying to stay composed and act like it’s just like practice.”

Coach Charita Stubbs said the inexperience of the young players is an asset to the team.

“One strength is our ability to not let situations, mistakes, get us down,” Stubbs said. “Our youth is our strength. [The freshmen] don’t know when they should be afraid, tentative, aggressive. They’re just one all the time, which is nice.”

Zaniboni said she views the raw talent of the team as an opportunity.

“We’ve got a lot of enthusiasm, and everyone wants to be there,” Zaniboni said. “We’re young, and we have a lot of lessons to learn. That’s an advantage too, I guess.”

Those lessons are already in progress as the team continues to improve in weak areas.

After watching films of its play in last weekend’s tournament as well as of upcoming competition, the Pack has been working on defense strategy. According to Stubbs, the team is focusing on smart play of free balls and controlling digs from the back row.

For Iboaya, a big presence at the net is an important key in playing bigger teams.

“I just hope my A game comes out,” Iboaya said. “I’m not scared. I love playing people that are better.”

State will play No. 19 Santa Clara today at 10 a.m. and No. 7 Florida tonight at 7:30 p.m. On Saturday, the Pack will play Georgia Southern at 6:30 p.m.

Florida Tournament – By the Numbers

3-1 The team’s overall record this season

7 National ranking of Florida, State’s competition on Friday

216 Kills executed by the Pack in the last four games