NC State volleyball takes on top-ranked opponent

Leigha Bruce, Staff Writer • October 19, 2019

Teammates surround redshirt junior middle blocker and right side, Jessica Kemp after she kills the ball against UNC on Oct. 2, 2019 in Reynolds Coliseum. Kemp played in five sets and had 14 kills and one block in the 2-3 loss to UNC.

Heading into the match against Pittsburgh with an 8-11 record, the NC State volleyball team will have to crank up its performance when it takes on the No. 3 team in the nation. This will be the Wolfpack’s final away match in the month of October, with hopes to bring home the win.

Let’s take a look at some of the key players in this matchup:

Kaylee Fraizer, NC State

Redshirt sophomore defensive specialist Kaylee Fraizer has tallied 255 digs this season, averaging 4.4 per set. Frazier has quickly become the Pack’s leading defensive player on the backline and will, without a doubt, be the Panthers’ biggest competition offensively.

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Kayla Lund, Pittsburgh

Outside hitter Kayla Lund has wedged a large stat gap between her and her teammates offensively, as she leads the Panthers with a total of 237 kills this season and 272 points. The 6-foot attacker has successfully mastered maneuvering her way around the blockers to put the ball down.

Melissa Evans, NC State

Opposite position player Melissa Evans will be Pitt’s biggest form of competition on the front line as Evans has racked up 285 kills, averaging 3.75 per set. While the junior holds her weight offensively, she also has dominated defensively with 87 digs and 49 blocks.

Chinaza Ndee, Pittsburgh

Middle blocker Chinaza Ndee has been an essential asset to the Panthers this season as a returning junior and quickly working her way up to leading Pittsburgh in total blocks this season with 73. While also performing well on the backline with 24 digs, Ndee has proven herself to be a versatile player on the court.

Lauryn Terry, NC State

Senior middle blocker Lauryn Terry has easily boosted herself as NC State’s top blocker with 74 total. While maintaining the net defensively, Terry has also tallied 120 kills at the front line. The 6-foot-3 blocker will be one of the Panthers’ biggest contenders.

Layne Van Buskirk, Pittsburgh

Middle blocker Layne Van Buskirk will be matched up against Terry as the two competitors go head to head on the front line. Van Buskirk has tallied a total of 160 kills and 192 points. The 6-foot-3 blocker will be one of Terry’s biggest competitors at the net.

The Wolfpack will travel to face the Panthers at Fitzgerald Field House Sunday, Oct. 20 with first serve scheduled for 1:00 p.m.