The NC State volleyball team earned its fifth ACC win Friday night against Wake Forest in a five-set match at Reynolds Coliseum.
Redeeming itself from its most recent loss against Georgia Tech, the Wolfpack (10-15, 5-8 ACC) finished the night with a 3-2 victory against the Demon Deacons (11-13, 1-12 ACC). The Pack had a slow start to the night, losing the first set 25-20. The Wolfpack picked itself up to take the second set 25-22 and the third set 25-23. The Deacons persisted and easily took the fourth set 25-16, but NC State managed to cinch the match in the last set, 15-12.
The first set was close with the Wolfpack leading 19-17. The Pack soon lost its momentum to the Deacons who went on a six point run to lead 23-19.
Redshirt sophomore defensive specialist Kaylee Frazier had a total of 19 digs throughout all five sets, leading both teams.
Having lost the first set, the Wolfpack was able to push forward to create its own four-point lead.
It was a close set but the slight gap that the Pack created early was effective as it was the edge it needed to prevent the Deacons from closing the gap and to secure the second set.
To close out the second set sophomore middle blocker Pam Chukwujekwu and redshirt junior middle blocker Jessica Kemp combined for a block. Throughout the game, the Wolfpack had nine blocks.
Even though the Deacons had come from behind to lead, 7-5 to 10-7, the Pack was undaunted.
The Deacons continued to hold the lead, 23-19. Despite the score, NC State managed to show impressive skill in holding the Deacons at 23 points while the Pack went on a six-point run to finish out the set and earn a 2-1 set advantage.
Part of the efforts to take the third set consisted of two service aces from redshirt freshman setter Nina Sharpton, a kill from senior middle blocker Lauryn Terry and another from Chukwujekwu.
Wake Forest created a slight four-point lead but soon went on a five-point run to increase its lead to 21-12. Putting the Pack in such a point deficit clearly marked which team had taken control of the fourth set and it was no surprise when the Deacons easily finished the set, only giving up four points to the Pack.
The fifth and final set may have started out as anyone’s set with the teams tied three points apiece, but the Pack quickly managed to take the lead 6-3. The Pack kept its lead for the duration of the last set.
Junior opposite hitter Melissa Evans, sophomore outside hitter Jade Parchment and Kemp led the offensive line, each scoring 10 kills. Parchment had a double-double with her 13 digs.
But the Pack didn’t win with its forceful offense. NC State’s victory ultimately came from the Deacons’ mistakes. Service errors were a sore spot for Wake Forest, which totaled 16 by the end of the night.
The Wolfpack will continue its road trip this Sunday at 1 p.m. when it travels to Duke for a match at Cameron Indoor Stadium.
