The NC State volleyball team secured its first NCAA Tournament victory after prevailing over Oregon State in Austin, Texas on Friday.
The Wolfpack (20-11, ACC 15-5) defeated the Beavers (21-11, ACC 11-9) 3-2 in the first round of the NCAAs. The Pack took the first set 25-18 and the third set 25-21, while the Beavers won the second set 25-19 and the fourth set 25-21. The Wolfpack took the fifth and final set for the win, 15-13.
The Wolfpack has had a successful season and by winning this game the Pack continued to take its next steps towards becoming champions in the NCAA tournament.
The Wolfpack kept an easy lead during the entire first set, winning 25-18. Led by graduate Bree Bailey’s seven kills and senior Julia Brown’s five, NC State totaled 18 kills in the first frame. The Pack also led in blocks, three out of four were executed by senior Kaitlyn Kearney.
However, Oregon State effectively took away State’s one-set advantage, winning the second set 25-19. The Beavers had a tough time taking the set from the Wolfpack as the score remained even until they took a definite lead 10-7.
Oregon State’s three service aces in the second set contributed to the victory, and leading in digs and attacks helped. Though the Pack dropped the second frame, it saw solid defense from senior Emily Harris who was able to put up 22 digs.
The Wolfpack came back fighting in the third set for the advantage. NC State pulled away at 20-16, but the Beavers closed the deficit to one, 22-21, before the Pack scored three-straight points to claim the set.
By the end of the third set, the Pack had a .256 hitting percentage and 60 percent side-out. Bailey had the highest kill percentage of .386 for the Wolfpack in the game.
Though victory was within reach for the Pack, the Beavers returned the favor and took the fourth set 25-21.
The Wolfpack had 73 kills during the entirety of the match compared to the Beavers’ 58 kills. Bailey proudly led the Pack’s attacks, scoring 22 kills. Brown and freshman Melissa Evans were close behind with 19 and 15 kills respectively.
The Pack struggled early in the final set, falling behind Oregon State 10-7. But after settling down and making the right adjustments, NC State rallied and claimed the victory.
It paid off as the Pack won by the necessary two points 15-13 against the Beavers after a final kill by Bailey.
NC State won’t have much time to savor its first tournament victory as it faces the winner of Fairfield/No. 2 Texas on Saturday at 8 p.m.
