Wake Forest Athletics
Wake Forest University
Tenn Martin- Lady Vols Classic
Wake Forest Volleyball Tramples UT Martin
9/11/2004 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Sept. 11, 2004
Knoxville, Tenn. - KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - Junior Valerie Rydberg posted her second double-double of the weekend and fourth of the season with 16 kills and 16 digs, helping the Deacs to a 3-0 (30-9, 30-19, 30-19) victory over UT Martin in the final match of the Dominio's Pizza Lady Vols Classic. The Demon Deacons are now 5-1 overall.
Rydberg started the match for the Deacs serving eight straight points, with four service aces in the mix, giving Wake Forest a quick 8-0 lead. UT Martin was able to get on the board eventually, at 8-2, but it just wasn't enough as the Deacs surged ahead when Kim Stern came to the line. Serving for five straight points, Stern pushed the Deacs lead to 10. At 18-9, Erin Borhart stepped up and served for the final 12 points, giving Wake Forest a 30-9 victory. During the final run, Rydberg, Stern and freshman Jackie Lucas all netted three kills a piece.
Game two was closer between the teams, despite Wake Forest jumping out to an early 3-1 lead. At 4-3, UT Martin was able to stay within two until the Deacs went on a seven-two run, ending at 22-13. At that point, the Skyhawks answered the Deacs with a five-zero run of their own, but it wasn't enough as Rydberg stepped back to the line to serve for the last four points of the game. Within that run, Rydberg slammed down another service ace, while freshman Michael Faulkner found two kills, closing the game, 30-19.
The Deacs opened the third game with Rydberg once again at the line after a kill on the first play. A point from Faulkner and an attack error on UT Martin kept Rydberg at the line for three points, putting the Deacs ahead, 4-1. At 9-4, a kill from junior Christy Williams set the Deacs on a seven-two run, increasing the Wake Forest lead to 10 and pushing them closer to a clean 3-0 sweep. As the match closed out, the Deacs were able to take five of the last seven points, closing the game, 30-19.
Stern had a strong outing for the Deacs, posting 10 kills and five block assists, while Faulkner netted a career-high nine kills. Freshman Emily Neddermam posted a career-high 18 assists, just behind Borhart with 21. Defensively, freshman Jackie Lucas led the Deacs with six block assists, contributing to the Deacs 13 team blocks.
Wake Forest will travel to the Wright State tournament next weekend before entering ACC competition against Virginia on Friday, Sept. 24 at 7 p.m.
