After taking some rest from a win against Duke on Sunday, the NC State volleyball team’s next opponent is Virginia.
The two ACC teams have had two very different outcomes this season so far. The Wolfpack (11-6, 6-0 ACC) has been on a winning streak since its game against Milwaukee University during the Michigan tournament on Sept. 22, even defeating rival UNC-Chapel Hill in an exciting five-set match.
The Wolfpack’s last win was against Duke this past Sunday. NC State swept the Blue Devils in three sets.
The Cavaliers (4-13, 0-6 ACC) have had a rough season, with their last win being against Ohio University on Sept. 9. In their previous match, the Cavs lost to Louisville, 3-1.
Notre Dame was a common opponent for both teams. The Wolfpack fought the Fighting Irish head on after its battle against the Tar Heels. Riding on that momentum, the Pack took the win, 3-2. The Cavaliers did not have the same fate with ND as they only managed to win one set before losing 3-1.
Cavs sophomore Jelena Novakovic is the squad’s leading spiker with 182 kills this season which is close to NC State’s freshman Melissa Evans who has 167 kills thus far. The Wolfpack’s leading spiker and formidable attacker is senior Julia Brown with 236 kills this season and 1,130 kills throughout her career at State. With the exception of four games, Brown has recorded double-digit kills, her highest was 22 against UNC-Wilmington. Other talented attackers are senior Kaitlyn Kearney with 126 kills and graduate Bree Bailey with 160 kills.
To make these offensive plays not only happen but be effective, the team has grown defensively and shown great faith in each other and their abilities.
This upcoming match appears to be in the Wolfpack’s favor but anything can happen between these two teams. Last year the Wolfpack (20-12, 13-7 ACC) beat UVa (7-25, 4-16 ACC) in a 3-2 match. But two years prior in 2014 and 2015, the Wolfpack was handed three losses against the Cavs.
It’ll be an interesting match to see which team will come out on top. Whether it be the Pack’s offensive prowess in attacking and kills, or the Cavaliers’ solid defense in receiving or blocking.
The Wolfpack will host Virginia this Friday at 7 p.m. in Reynolds Coliseum.
