Wake Forest University
Clemson
Clemson Takes Down Wake Forest in Four Games
9/23/2006 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Sept. 23, 2006
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - Wake Forest's bid to open up ACC play with two straight wins fell short, as visiting Clemson took down the Demon Deacons in four games Saturday at Reynolds Gymnasium. The Tigers overcame a first-game loss to defeat the Deacs 23-30, 30-22, 30-21, 30-28.
With the loss, Wake Forest drops to 5-6 overall and 1-1 in the ACC. Clemson improves to 6-4 overall and 1-1 in the conference.
Redshirt sophomore Jessica Furlong and freshman Kate Rodriguez both ended the night with double-doubles. Furlong had 18 kills and 13 digs, while Rodriguez had a season-best 12 kills and a team-high 14 digs.
Redshirt sophomore Natalie Mullikin chipped in 10 kills, while junior Jackie Lucas had one block solo and two block assists.
Freshman Dylan Faulkner dished out 45 assists on the night, in addition to recording 10 digs.
Clemson can attribute the win largely to blocking upfront, as the Tigers finished the night with 20 total blocks. The Deacons, on the other hand, had just six blocks and hit only .120 as a team.
Wake Forest ran away with game one, and it looked as if the Deacons might repeat Friday's performance when they swept Georgia Tech in three.
The Deacs used a 15-7 run to break an early 3-3 tie, building an eight-point lead at 18-10. Wake would increase their margin to as many 12 when it led 26-14 late in the game, and the Demon Deacons cruised to the 30-23 win.
A sweep was not in store, however, as Clemson took over in the second game. The Tigers never trailed and led by as many as 11 before earning the 30-22 win.
Game three was a similar story, as Clemson built an early lead and never let the Deacs recover. Wake Forest pulled to within seven points late at 25-18, but Clemson would not let the home squad any closer, finishing the game for a 30-21 win.
The Demon Deacons showed signs of life in game four, staging a comeback midway through the contest. Trailing 19-13, Wake Forest scored seven unanswered points to take a 20-19 lead.
After Clemson stopped the rally to tie the game, Wake then scored the next two points to take a 22-20 lead. Clemson followed with a 7-3 run to take command of the game. The Deacons tied it at 27 and then again at 28 before the Tigers scored the final two points for a 30-28 victory.
The Demon Deacons return to action on Wednesday, Sept. 27, when they travel to Chapel Hill for a 7:30 p.m. match with North Carolina.
