Wake Forest University
Pittsburgh
Deacs to Host Panthers and Cavaliers Through Halloween-Themed Weekend
10/27/2022 10:08:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Wake Forest volleyball returns to Reynolds Gymnasium again after weeks spent on the road.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Volleyball action is back in Reynolds Gymnasium this weekend, as Wake Forest (12-9, 4-6) hosts a pair of Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) contests. The No. 7 Pittsburgh Panthers come in on Friday (Oct. 28), followed by Virginia on Sunday (Oct. 30).
The Sunday match versus the Cavaliers will air on ACC Network Extra. Live stats will be available both days.
Last week, Wake Forest wrapped a road tilt with stops at Miami (Oct. 21) and Florida State (Oct. 23).
Eight scheduled matchups remain in the Demon Deacons' fall regular season.
The Matches
Friday, Oct. 28 – Wake Forest vs. No. 7 Pittsburgh – 6:30 p.m. ET
Sunday, Oct. 30 – Wake Forest vs. Virginia – 1 p.m. ET
Last Time Out
Friday, Oct. 21 – Miami 3, Wake Forest 0
Opening the second of an ongoing two-week road tilt, Wake Forest faced Miami last Friday evening (Oct. 21) in another conference outing and its 20th match of the fall. The host Hurricanes went on to win the night in a 3-0 sweep (18-25, 23-25, 20-25).
Paige Crawford again had her usual dependable hitting on full display, leading the Demon Deacons with 12 kills and going for an eight-straight performance of double-figures in that statistical category. The Wimberley, Texas native also added eight digs.
Rian Baker secured the fourth double-double of her freshman campaign, totaling 15 assists and 14 digs, both of which were team-highs. The setter also collected three service aces.
Ashley Slater and Olivia Franke contributed nine and six kills, respectively.
Emma Farrell chipped in 13 digs and seven assists. Kalani Whillock gathered 11 digs and Emmy Ogogor rounded out the defense with a line of four blocks.
Wake Forest out-dug Miami, 55-52.
Sunday, Oct. 23 – Florida State 3, Wake Forest 0
Entering its fourth consecutive road match on Sunday afternoon (Oct. 23), Wake Forest faced Florida State during its brief stay in Tallahassee. The Seminoles ultimately finished victorious in a 3-0 sweep (17-25, 20-25, 12-25).
Olivia Franke had the most efficient day for the Deacs, going 7-of-14 on attacks with only one error (.429 attacking percentage).
Paige Crawford ended as the team leader in kills (9). Emmy Ogogor and Peyton Suess each added five.
Andrea Fuentes tallied 15 assists and two service aces. Kylie Adams' mark of five assists was a season high.
Emma Farrell and Megan Merril led the defense with eight digs apiece.
Spooky Weekend
Wake Forest's two matches will feature Halloween themes, headlined by a 'Trick or Treat with SAAC' opportunity on Sunday (Oct. 30), initiated by the university's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. Fans are encouraged to wear their Halloween costumes and will be able to go trick-or-treating with Demon Deacon student-athletes following the conclusion of the match versus Virginia.
Fearless Franke
Olivia Franke's floor experience and rise in efficiency can be noted in the Deacs' recent weeks of competition. In her last five matches, the junior middle blocker has hit over 40% in attacking attempts.
Olivia Franke Streak of Efficient Attacking Percentage Numbers:
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Versus NC State (10/9/22): 9-of-18 (.500)
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At Notre Dame (10/14/22): 12-of-18 (.667)
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At Louisville (10/16/22): 10-of-15 (.667)
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At Miami (10/21/22): 6-of-11, 1 error (.455)
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At Florida State (10/23/22): 7-of-14, 1 error (.429)
Defensively, Franke has protected the net well to average four blocks a match through her last five appearances.
Series History
Versus Pittsburgh
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Series: Pittsburgh leads, 10-2
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Last Meeting: Oct. 29, 2021
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Result: L, 0-3
Versus Virginia
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Series: Virginia leads 28-27
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Last Meeting: Nov. 12, 2021
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Result: W, 3-1
Scouting the Opposition
Leading the ACC standings with the only undefeated record within conference play (10-0), Pittsburgh recently moved to No. 7 in the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Top-25 poll on Monday (Oct. 24). The Panthers are 20-2 overall on the season and have gathered a total of five ACC Player of the Week selections throughout the fall. As a team, Pittsburgh leads the conference in kills-per-set (14.16) and assists-per-set (13.11). Serena Gray is the ACC leader in hitting percentage (.416). The team is currently on a 13-match winning streak and have outlasted its opponents in all major statistical categories of kills, assists, service aces, digs, and blocks.
Virginia is 10-11 overall on the year and most recently swept Notre Dame in three sets (Oct. 23). The Cavaliers (2-8, ACC) play on the road at Virginia Tech on Friday (Oct. 28). Grace Turner paces the team in total kills (281), while setter Gabby Easton has dished out the highest total of assists on the squad (459). Madison Morey is the go-to libero, as the junior currently averages three digs per set. Abby Tadder (72.5 blocks) and Veresia Yon (38.5 blocks) both defend the net well as middle blockers.
Up Next
Wake Forest will play its first midweek match next, visiting Virginia Tech on Wednesday, Nov. 2. A few days later, the Deacons are back in Reynolds Gymnasium to host Duke for a Sunday Big Four showing (Nov. 6).
