Wake Forest University
North Carolina
Volleyball to Host Big Four Foes in Next Home Tests
10/6/2022 11:40:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
It should be a big weekend in Reynolds Gymnasium.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Part two of Wake Forest volleyball's two-week homestand continues this weekend, as the Demon Deacons bring in a pair of Big Four opponents to Reynolds Gymnasium.
North Carolina makes the trip from Chapel Hill for a Friday night matchup (Oct. 7) and the NC State Wolfpack steps in on Sunday evening (Oct. 9).
Friday's contest will be streamed on ACC Network Extra (ACCNX). On Sunday, Wake Forest will have its match televised on the ACC Network (ACCN) for the first time this season.
The two weekend contests will be Wake Forest's firsts against Big Four programs.
In their most recent outing, the Deacs picked up a 3-1 home win over Boston College.
The Matches
Friday, Oct. 7 – Wake Forest vs. North Carolina – 7 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 9 – Wake Forest vs. NC State – 6 p.m.
Last Time Out
Syracuse 3, Wake Forest 2
Showing eagerness and energy in a return to its home floor for the first time in over three weeks, Wake Forest took on Syracuse last Friday (Sept. 30) for the first Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) matchup played in Reynolds Gymnasium this fall. The contest went back and forth through pairs of sets before the visitors ultimately escaped with a 3-2 decision (26-24, 25-17, 16-25, 24-26, 12-15).
Player milestones continued to be achieved for the Demon Deacons, as Ashley Slater recorded the 500th kill of her collegiate career. The junior hitter made the such play early in the fifth set. Slater ended with 12 kills on the night.
First-year outside hitter Paige Crawford exploded for a new career-high in kills (19) and digs (11), finishing with her second double-double of the season.
Olivia Franke also had a career night on the hitting end, collecting a new high of 12 kills. The McLean, Virginia native stood out defensively as well with eight total blocks, her best total thus far throughout the fall.
Andrea Fuentes was another Deac to tally a double-double, piecing a line of 28 assists and 12 digs. Rian Baker proved to be a key component in her setting play, chipping in 27 assists.
Emmy Ogogor reached double-figures in kills (10) for the fourth time this year. Additionally, the senior made rejections on four blocks.
Emma Farrell and Kalani Whillock gathered 18 and 10 digs, respectively.
Wake Forest 3, Boston College 1
Back in action for a Sunday afternoon (Oct. 2) home outing, Wake Forest took care of business in rounding out its weekend with a 3-1 win over Boston College. The win was the Demon Deacons' first in a home conference match this fall (25-21, 25-20, 22-25, 25-20).
Peyton Suess was a force on the hitting end for Wake Forest, going for 18 kills on a .484 attacking percentage. The senior's total mark in kills was her second-highest of the season, along with the seventh time she has her team in that statistical column.
Lauren Strain had a career day, tallying eight kills on 10 attacks (.800). A new face for Wake Forest, it was the junior's best line of the 2022 campaign thus far.
Paige Crawford impressed with 13 kills and four digs. Emmy Ogogor added 10 kills and five blocks.
Emma Farrell and Kalani Whillock finished with 15 digs apiece – it was a season-best for the latter.
Rian Baker and Fuentes orchestrated the Deacon offense with 29 and 21 assists, respectively. Baker also totaled eight digs and two service aces. Olivia Franke chipped in five blocks on the defensive side.
Wake Forest moved to 18-10 in the all-time series versus Boston College.
Weekend Promotions
The Deacs' annual 'Dig Pink' match headlines Friday evening, along with 'Youth Team Day.' Spectators are encouraged to wear pink attire, as the match will hold a focus on Breast Cancer Awareness. Recognition of Wake Forest Volleyball's Heather Holmes Tenacity Award, named in the honor of the program's late head coach, is set to take place as well. Additionally, fans who arrive early in attendance will receive pink ribbons, shakers, and wristbands, while members of the team will stick around post-match to sign autographs.
Sunday will feature 'Camper Reunion Day,' welcoming back all young individuals who have attended Demon Deacon volleyball summer camps. Campers are encouraged to wear their Wake Forest camp t-shirts, and opportunities for post-match autographs will again be presented.
Moving On Up
Andrea Fuentes officially moved her way up inside the program's records for career assists during the victory over Boston College, now resting at No. 11 on the all-time list with 1,306 assists dished out during her time with the Black and Old Gold. This season, the graduate student is second on the team in assists (261), having competed in 11 matches. Fuentes' 6.69 assists-per-set average stands 10th-best among conference individuals.
Series History
Versus North Carolina
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Series: North Carolina leads, 53-15
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Last Meeting: Oct. 8, 2021
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Result: L, 1-3
Versus NC State
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Series: NC State leads, 32-31
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Last Meeting: Oct. 10, 2021
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Result: L, 0-3
Scouting the Opposition
North Carolina holds a 9-6 overall record after starting 1-3 in ACC play. The Tar Heels have excelled in their serving game, totaling 103 aces in comparison to 58 by their opponents. Parker Austin has played a role on that side of the net, standing second in the conference in aces-per-set (0.51). Mabrey Shaffmaster and Anita Babic lead UNC in kills (196) and assists (445), respectively. Defensively, first-year Maddy May has handled the libero spot (188 digs). UNC has outperformed its foes in all major categories of kills, assists, aces, and digs thus far this season.
Likewise to the Tar Heels, NC State is also 9-6 overall this season. Resting at 3-1 against conference opponents, the Wolfpack visits Virginia Tech on Friday (Oct. 7). The team holds a league-best average in digs-per-set (15.24) and is second in blocks-per-set (2.66). Ava Brizard, Amanda Rice, and Vanja Bukilic all give NC State options in its attacking scheme. Setters Kristen McDaniel (282 assists) and Naomi Cabello (236 assists) pace the offense. Riley Shaak's 1.40 blocks per set leads the ACC and Priscilla Hernandez is a top-five conference individual in digs-per-set (4.24).
Up Next
Next, Wake Forest will step into the first of two weeks on the road, visiting Notre Dame (Oct. 14) and Louisville (Oct. 16).
