The N.C. State volleyball team defeated Georgia Tech 3-1 Friday night before falling victim to Clemson the next evening on Senior Night by the same score, 3-1. The victory Friday night marked the first time in 11 years the team has beaten the Yellow Jackets. The weekend’s results bring the Pack’s record to 14-17 overall and 4-15 in the ACC.
Saturday’s matchup against Clemson was the final home game for the three seniors on the team, Alex Smith, Jana Angel, and Taylor Pritchard. Although the seniors played their last game in a Wolfpack uniform, Pritchard said the feeling had not quite set in yet following the contest.
“It was really sad,” Pritchard said. “I don’t think it’s actually hit me yet since we still have a week of practice and another game left. It will feel a little different after we’re actually done. It’s really sad to know that was the last time I’ll be playing in front of our fans, my family, and with my teammates at Reynolds.”
The victory against Georgia Tech marked the first time the ladies won a match since Oct. 31st, when they shutout Boston College 3-0. The first set was straightforward as State remained in the lead for the entire set, eventually winning 25-23.
Unlike the opening set, the second set was a back-and-forth affair with 13 ties and four lead changes. A controversial call by the referees highlighted the second set and resulted in the winning point for the Jackets, as they took the second set 25-23.
With the unfortunate call in the back of players’ minds, the Wolfpack ladies rebounded with a solid .455 attacking percentage in the third set and dominated Georgia Tech, resulting in a 25-15 win and bringing the match to 2-1.
State closed out the match with a 25-21 victory in the final set, which saw 15 ties and five lead changes. Smith said she was excited about breaking the 11-year victory drought against Georgia Tech.
“It feels pretty good,” Smith said. “I’m glad that we could do that for the program. I’m really proud of my teammates.”
The second game of the weekend against Clemson was not nearly as one-sided. There were 38 ties and 23 lead changes in the match. Junior Kelly Wood notched a career-high 29 digs while both Smith and junior Luciana Shafer recorded double-doubles. Despite their performances, it was not enough to take home the win as the Tigers defeated the Wolfpack 3-1.
Despite the Senior Night loss, Angel said she was still proud to be standing with fellow seniors Smith and Pritchard after the three arrived at State as a part of a 10-player recruiting class.
“It was bittersweet because no one likes to lose,” Angel said. “I hated that that’s how it ended. I couldn’t have asked for a better senior night, though. So many people were there. It was really an amazing feeling. I came from a recruiting class of ten and to be standing there with the two other girls that had made it the whole time with me was kind of surreal.”
The team will cap off its season on the road Friday night against rival North Carolina. The Wolfpack was swept 3-0 when the two teams last played in September, but spoiled the Tar Heels’ Senior Night last season. Angel said she is hopeful the team can mirror last year’s upset and put a happy ending on her career at State.
“I want to go out with a bang,” Angel said. “If I can’t go home for Thanksgiving, I’m kicking someone’s butt. It’s our last game against our biggest rival. I want to beat those girls more than anything in the world. That would be the most amazing way to end my career for volleyball.”
