Friday, November 15
Winston-Salem, N.C.
6 PM
Wake Forest University
12-14, 2-13ACC
3
vs
1
Virginia
11-17, 3-12ACC
1
2
3
4
F
Virginia
23
27
20
23
1
Wake Forest
25
25
25
25
3
Wake Forest Downs Virginia, 3-1
11/15/2019 9:23:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - An efficient offensive performance lifted Wake Forest to a 3-1 win (25-23, 25-27, 25-20, 25-23) over Virginia on Friday night. The victory snapped an 11-match losing streak for the Deacons.
"This gives us some good momentum," head coach Randi Smart said. "We have been working on taking out our unforced errors and I think the team sought today. We realized we weren't passing the ball very well or communicating well so we cleaned those things up and started improving."
For the first time this season, five Deacons collected double-digit kills. Peyton Suess, Caroline Kuhn and Caitlyn Della led the way with 13 kills each. Suess notched her eighth double-double of the year, also adding 10 digs. Sophomore Michelle Polechonski added 11 kills for a team-best .471 clip. Freshman setter Parker Kwiatkowski dished out a career-high 54 assists.
"Our middles are so much more disciplined, said Smart. "They are waiting a little bit longer and being patient instead of being in such a hurry and slowing down their approaches. Setter Parker (Kwiatkowski) is starting to connect with them a lot better as well."
Defensively, Wake Forest (12-14, 2-13 ACC) put up 12 blocks, led by Olivia Saunders with six assisted and one solo stop.
The first frame featured 13 ties and four lead changes but fell in favor of Wake Forest. The Deacs were hitting an impressive .421 at the first media timeout, but a challenge from Virginia put the Cavaliers up 15-14. The Deacons went on a 3-0 run, capitalizing on several Cavalier errors to take a 19-18 lead. The Wahoos were a strong force at the net, posting five blocks in the first set alone, but efficient hitting from Wake Forest gave the Deacs a 1-0 match advantage.
Virginia (11-17, 3-12 ACC) tied the match at 1-1 after a come-from behind win in the second frame. After starting the set battling point for point, Wake took control of a 14-9. UVA rallied back and a 3-0 run for the Cavaliers tied the frame at 20-all. Wake Forest looked to win the set, but a blocking error reversed the kill and tied the game 25-all. Back-to-back blocks from the Cavaliers gave Virginia the 27-25 decision to even the match 1-1.
Wake Forest put together its best offensive set of the match in the third frame, hitting .379 behind five kills from Kuhn, while Saunders went 4-of-5 with an .800 clip. Despite five ties, the Deacs maintained the lead throughout the stanza. A kill from Kuhn handed Wake a 19-14 lead, forcing the Cavaliers to call timeout. UVA tacked on a few more points, but the Deacons took a 2-1 match lead with the 25-20 set three win.
Five blocks in the fourth set allowed Wake Forest to win the match. The Deacons hit just .174 but held a slight 15-14 kill advantage over the Cavaliers. The fourth frame was another back and forth affair with seven ties and a couple lead changes. Virginia tied the set at 23-all but blocks from Kwiatkowsi and Saunders gave the Deacs a 24-23 lead before Saunders shut the door with a solo stop for the victory.
Wake Forest returns to Reynolds Gym for the final time this season, welcoming Boston College at 1 p.m. Prior to the match seniors Caitlin Clarke, Della and Caroline Rassenfoss will all be honored.
"This gives us some good momentum," head coach Randi Smart said. "We have been working on taking out our unforced errors and I think the team sought today. We realized we weren't passing the ball very well or communicating well so we cleaned those things up and started improving."
For the first time this season, five Deacons collected double-digit kills. Peyton Suess, Caroline Kuhn and Caitlyn Della led the way with 13 kills each. Suess notched her eighth double-double of the year, also adding 10 digs. Sophomore Michelle Polechonski added 11 kills for a team-best .471 clip. Freshman setter Parker Kwiatkowski dished out a career-high 54 assists.
"Our middles are so much more disciplined, said Smart. "They are waiting a little bit longer and being patient instead of being in such a hurry and slowing down their approaches. Setter Parker (Kwiatkowski) is starting to connect with them a lot better as well."
Defensively, Wake Forest (12-14, 2-13 ACC) put up 12 blocks, led by Olivia Saunders with six assisted and one solo stop.
The first frame featured 13 ties and four lead changes but fell in favor of Wake Forest. The Deacs were hitting an impressive .421 at the first media timeout, but a challenge from Virginia put the Cavaliers up 15-14. The Deacons went on a 3-0 run, capitalizing on several Cavalier errors to take a 19-18 lead. The Wahoos were a strong force at the net, posting five blocks in the first set alone, but efficient hitting from Wake Forest gave the Deacs a 1-0 match advantage.
Virginia (11-17, 3-12 ACC) tied the match at 1-1 after a come-from behind win in the second frame. After starting the set battling point for point, Wake took control of a 14-9. UVA rallied back and a 3-0 run for the Cavaliers tied the frame at 20-all. Wake Forest looked to win the set, but a blocking error reversed the kill and tied the game 25-all. Back-to-back blocks from the Cavaliers gave Virginia the 27-25 decision to even the match 1-1.
Wake Forest put together its best offensive set of the match in the third frame, hitting .379 behind five kills from Kuhn, while Saunders went 4-of-5 with an .800 clip. Despite five ties, the Deacs maintained the lead throughout the stanza. A kill from Kuhn handed Wake a 19-14 lead, forcing the Cavaliers to call timeout. UVA tacked on a few more points, but the Deacons took a 2-1 match lead with the 25-20 set three win.
Five blocks in the fourth set allowed Wake Forest to win the match. The Deacons hit just .174 but held a slight 15-14 kill advantage over the Cavaliers. The fourth frame was another back and forth affair with seven ties and a couple lead changes. Virginia tied the set at 23-all but blocks from Kwiatkowsi and Saunders gave the Deacs a 24-23 lead before Saunders shut the door with a solo stop for the victory.
Wake Forest returns to Reynolds Gym for the final time this season, welcoming Boston College at 1 p.m. Prior to the match seniors Caitlin Clarke, Della and Caroline Rassenfoss will all be honored.
Team Stats
VA
WF
Kills
52
62
Errors
25
29
Attempts
145
153
Hitting %
.186
.216
Points
70.0
76.0
Assists
52
58
Aces
3
2
Blocks
15.0
12.0
Game Leaders
Kills
13
Aces
1
Blocks
2
Kills
13
Aces
0
Blocks
2
Kills
13
Aces
0
Blocks
5
Kills
11
Aces
0
Blocks
4
Players Mentioned
DS/L
/ Women's VolleyballMB
/ Women's VolleyballOH/RS
/ Women's Volleyball
S
/ Women's VolleyballMB/RS
/ Women's Volleyball
OH
/ Women's Volleyball
MB/OH
/ Women's VolleyballOH/RS
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