Wake Forest Athletics
Wake Forest University
VCU
Wake Forest Splits Final Two Deacon Classic Matches
9/19/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Hofstra Stats | Hofstra Stats (PDF) | VCU Stats | VCU Stats (PDF)
Wake Forest Athletic Communications (@WakeVolleyball)
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- The Wake Forest volleyball team defeated Hofstra, 3-2, before dropping a 3-1 decision to VCU in its final two matches of the Deacon Classic at Reynolds Gymnasium Saturday. The two matches marked the end of the Demon Deacons' nonconference schedule.
Saturday's results left the Deacs with an 8-4 record entering conference action. Senior Matalee Reed and sophomore Caroline Wolf were named to the all-tournament team. For the weekend, Reed recorded 34 kills on a .319 hitting percentage, adding 12 blocks. Wolf led Wake Forest with 64 digs and chipped in 13 assists from the libero position.
To overcome Hofstra, Wake Forest needed to erase two set deficits as it pulled out the 18-25, 25-20, 22-25, 25-22, 15-10 victory. The triumph gave the Deacons their longest win streak of the season at four matches.
After dropping a close first set that featured eight tie scores, the Deacs negated a 5-0 Pride lead in the second set to eventually even the score at 11. Wake Forest earned seven of the set's last nine points to take the 25-20 win.
Needing to win the fourth set following a third set loss, the Deacons trailed 18-13 before forcing a decisive set No. 5 with a 12-4 run. Kylie Long posted five of her team-best 19 kills for the match in the fourth set.
Wake Forest capped the win with a 15-10 win in the fifth-set, pulling away with a 5-2 match-ending run. Long's 26 digs in the match were 14 more than any other player.
The Deacons carried the momentum from their win over the Pride into the first set of their tilt against VCU, opening with a 6-1 lead en route to a 25-20 victory.
The Rams responded, however, eking out a 25-23 second set win before taking set Nos. 3 and 4 by 25-13 and 25-21 scores, respectively.
In the loss, Wake Forest's Rachel Burau registered 39 assists, while Reed led the team with 12 kills and a .333 hitting percentage. Both the Deacs and the Rams finished the weekend with 2-1 records to share the tournament title. Hofstra and Georgia both went 1-2.
The Demon Deacons kick off ACC play Wednesday with a trip to Duke before they host Virginia next Saturday evening.
