Wake Forest University
Miami (Ohio)
Deacs Unable To Hold On Against Miami University
11/29/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Nov. 29, 2003
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- In the final home match of the season, the Wake Forest volleyball team came up short in a 3-2 loss to Miami University (Ohio) on Saturday evening at Reynolds Gymnasium. With the loss, the Demon Deacons fall to 21-10 overall while the RedHawks improve to 11-22. Sara Beth DeLisle led the way for Wake Forest, hitting .543 with a career-best 20 kills to go along with 15 digs. Valerie Rydberg also had 19 kills and 17 digs for the Demon Deacons.
Wake Forest looked sharp early, taking a 30-22 victory in game one. The Deacs led by as many as 11 points at 27-16 and Rydberg and DeLisle combined for eight kills in the game. As a team, Wake Forest hit a match-high .429 compared to Miami's .128.
The RedHawks evened the match with a 30-28 win in game two. The score was tied 14 different times in the game, but a kill by Miami's Angie Zent and attack error by Wake Forest broke a 28-28 deadlock and put the RedHawks on the board. The Demon Deacons came out of the gate strong in game three, jumping out to an early 15-9 advantage thanks to at least one kill from four different players. The Deacs were able to continue that strong play, taking control of the match with another 30-22 win.
But Miami responded with a 30-26 victory in game four. The Demon Deacons had a 14-13 lead, but would not regain the advantage after that point as the RedHawks tied the game and were able to finish off the Deacs and push the match to a fifth and deciding game.
Game five was a back and forth battle which the RedHawks were able to escape from with a 16-14 victory. Miami commited just one error in the game and put away two kills in a row, breaking a 14-14 tie and ending the match.
The 2003 NCAA Volleyball Tournament selection show takes place on Sunday evening at 8 p.m. and will air on ESPNews. The Demon Deacons, who ended their season with a 21-10 overall record and third place finish in the ACC, hope to receive an at-large bid from the selection committee.
