It was a tough Wednesday night for the NC State volleyball team. The Wolfpack was finally defeated in conference play by none other than archrival UNC-Chapel Hill in four sets.
The Wolfpack (13-7, 8-1 ACC) faced UNC (10-7, 7-2 ACC) for the second time this season. In the last meeting between these teams, the Pack defeated the Tar Heels in an exciting 3-2 match.
However, this time it was a different outcome. The Tar Heels took the first set 25-20. The Pack roared back and challenged in the second set 25-22. But the last two sets were lost 25-14 and 25-22.
The Pack was out of sorts several times throughout the contest, committing many unforced errors on serves.
“It was an interesting match,” said head coach Linda Hampton-Keith. ”It really was won and lost at the service line.”
The game did not start in the Wolfpack’s favor. NC State was forced to take a time out early, finding itself down 6-0 in the first set. The Pack gained its first point by a lucky shot off junior Teni Sophitan’s head, sending it back to the other side.
The Pack closed the gap to 6-3, and seemed to be fabricating some sort of comeback at 6-4. But the Tar Heels claimed reign of their home court. A close save and a spike from Sophitan brought the Pack back within two points, 16-14.
The Wolfpack managed to stay within a two-point gap. But ultimately, the Tar Heels pulled ahead to take the first set 25-20.
NC State found its bearings in the second set, running out to an early 5-1 lead. Although it wasn’t long until UNC was right on the Pack’s heels, tying the score 9-9.
The tightly contested match continued with no team taking a definite lead. The stalemate finally ceased when the Pack managed to get three points ahead 17-14.
However, the Heels didn’t stop as they regained some ground and tied it up 20-20. The Pack fought back with three consecutive points, two of them kills by senior Julia Brown.
The Wolfpack sustained its momentum, and hitting percentage of 72, resulting in a second-set victory of 25-22 and tying the match.
“Just taking it one point at a time,” Brown said. “From the beginning of the game we struggled with serve receives so that’s one thing I tried to pick up the communication on.”
The Wolfpack fell behind 12-6 in the third. After a timeout was called, the Pack continued to trail, now 16-7. By the time UNC reached 20, the Pack had only reached nine points.
NC State was down by 10 when UNC reached set point. The third set ended in disappointing fashion, losing 25-14 with UNC having a 2-1 advantage going into the fourth set. Entering the fourth set, the Tar Heels jumped out to a quick 5-1 and the inevitable defeat ensued.
The Pack climbed its way back to challenge UNC 8-8, and took the lead 15-10. It wouldn’t be that easy as UNC racked up points, and soon retook the lead, 19-16.
“It feels really good,” senior Kaitlyn Kearney said about breaking her career blocking record. “I’ve felt like I’ve been really strong at blocking so I’m really excited. I really appreciate all the people who’ve helped me get there with the assist blocks. It’s really exciting.”
It was an uphill battle for the rest of the match as the Pack tenaciously fought to reach overtime. The Tar Heels took their last set and won the game 25-22 against the once undefeated Wolfpack.
“In the big picture, this one match isn’t necessarily going to make or break us.” Hampton-Keith said. “There’s so much volleyball left to play.”
