Wake Forest University
12-5,4-2ACC
NC State
10-7,4-2ACC
Wake Forest Completes Big Four Weekend Sweep with Sunday Victory over Wolfpack
10/9/2022 10:12:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
Ashley Slater erupted for a new season-high!
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Once again playing in front of a packed house and tested against a Big Four opponent, Wake Forest volleyball (12-5, 4-2) displayed a controlled tempo from the start to knock off NC State (10-7, 4-2) in four sets on Sunday evening (Oct. 9).
The win secured a weekend sweep for Wake Forest, its first such feat over Atlantic Coast Conference competition since Oct. 2018. Additionally, it was the Demon Deacons' first victory over the Wolfpack since Oct. 10, 2014.
Wake Forest was locked in collectively as a unit defensively, totaling 20 more digs than NC State (79-59). Four players finished in double-digits on that end: Emma Farrell (18), Paige Crawford (14), Rian Baker (14), and Andrea Fuentes (13).
Crawford was a force in her two-way play, adding a team-high 18 kills, three blocks, and two service aces. The freshman has notched a double-double in three of her last four showings.
Ashley Slater had arguably her most impressive hitting night of the fall, tallying a season-high 17 kills on a .361 percentage.
Baker and Fuentes collected 27 and 22 assists, respectively. Fuentes moved her way up the ladder of records in career assists at Wake Forest, now holding 1,358 – a mark that is good for 10th-best among all-time players.
Olivia Franke went 9-of-18 on attacks and chipped in four blocks. Emmy Ogogor finished with nine kills and three blocks.
How it Happened
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After suffering a ball handling error to open the evening, NC State scored on five straight tries.
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Olivia Franke and Paige Crawford assisted on a block to stop the run.
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On the next play, Franke teamed with Lauren Strain for another rejection on the right side of the net.
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After a few mistakes, the Wolfpack took an 8-4 lead on a service ace.
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Emmy Ogogor jumped down the middle for her first kill of the night as a response.
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Back-to-back kills by Ashley Slater helped start a run for the Deacs, with Crawford and Franke chipping in.
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Wake Forest tied the margin at 10 all before taking its first lead of the evening on an attacking error by the Wolfpack.
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The match's first timeout was then called.
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Action began to be traded out of the break, with Crawford and Slater taking turns for the Deacons.
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Two more kills by the latter ignited a 4-0 clip by Wake Forest, and the score was traded three times in a quick stretch.
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Crawford bounced down a kill to put Wake Forest up 21-19.
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Two pairs of kills were thrown down from both sides.
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Attacks by Peyton Suess and Franke put their squad at match point, 24-22.
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Franke stayed patient on one more swing, giving Wake Forest the set victory.
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Wake Forest came back from an early deficit to win set one, 25-23.
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Franke started the match on a strong note by going 4-of-8 on attacking attempts and assisting on three blocks.
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Crawford opened set two with a kill that bounced off the shoulder of an NC State setter.
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The Deacon hitters kept their confident playmaking alive, as action continued to go back and forth.
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Set two soon sat tied at 8 even.
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NC State connected on three kills in four immediate attacks, taking a 12-10 advantage.
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However, the Wolfpack could not succeed on the next two hitting attempts, and the frame became even again.
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Slater continued to do work, but NC State created some small comfort with a 21-18 lead.
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Two more errors by the visitors, followed by an Emma Farrell ace, tied set two at 22 even.
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Franke delivered her sixth kill moments later.
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NC State scored twice on ensuing possessions, reaching set point at 24-23 and causing a timeout.
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Nevertheless, Crawford was especially clutch down the stretch, plugging in kills to eventually give Wake Forest a 26-24 set two victory.
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Early on, the third set functioned as a seesaw of plays, featuring four tied scores.
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Ogogor answered twice on kills down the middle, and a big block by a duo of the senior and Crawford gave Wake Forest a 9-7 lead.
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Neither team could pull away through the next several possessions before NC State went ahead 14-11 after the Deacs suffered two errors on hits.
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Wake Forest's defense continued to impress, and Slater slammed a high kill to tie things up at 14-14 in set three.
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Slater sent in two more balls before NC State jumped on a brief run, which was stopped by Emma Farrell, who laced an ace.
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The Deacs didn't let up in its fight, with Slater netting a kill to have the team trailing by one point.
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A 3-0 push by the Wolfpack gave the team some room again, 23-19.
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Suess and Crawford tried to make something happen late for Wake Forest, but NC State needed only two more kills to snatch its first set victory of the evening.
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NC State won set three, 25-22.
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Helped by its front line, Wake Forest started off set three steady, as a few tied scores took place.
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Ogogor put her Deacs in front, 6-5, with a right hammer.
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Wake Forest took advantage of NC State's mistakes and Crawford's stellar play, going up 11-9.
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Crawford blasted a kill next, followed by an unsuccessful challenge by the Wolfpack.
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Suess and Strain gave Wake Forest reliable arms in extending the lead to 16-11.
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Crawford caught the defense sleeping and dished out her second ace to add another point on the board.
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The Deacons maintained a four to five-point lead through the next few rallies, as the scoreboard read 20-15 in the Black and Old Gold's favor.
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Slater and Ogogor knocked in hits first, before Crawford put Wake Forest at match point.
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NC State's final try resulted in an attacking error.
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Wake Forest won 25-18 in set four, clinching the match victory, 3-1.
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The Deacs were on fire in the final frame, totaling a .519 attacking clip as a team.
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Standout Stats
As a team, Wake Forest stood out defensively against the Wolfpack, totaling 20 more digs than NC State (79-59). Four players finished in double-digits on that end:
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Emma Farrell - 18
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Paige Crawford - 14
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Rian Baker - 14
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Andrea Fuentes - 13
Ashley Slater finished Sunday night with a new season high of 17 kills on a .361 percentage.
Andrea Fuentes moved her way up the ladder of records in career assists at Wake Forest, now holding 1,358 – a mark that is good for 10th-best among all-time players.
Paige Crawford has recorded a double-double in three of her last four matches.
From the Head Honcho
"This was a physical match from start to finish," said head coach Randi Smart. "The girls competed well and played great volleyball. We earned a lot of points tonight and felt that we were in control the entire match.
"The girls are learning to manage matches, create scoring opportunities, and win.
"Again, the fans were fantastic! I loved the environment, and they are helping us create a gym and home to be proud of in Varsity (Arena). Thank you, fans!"
Up Next
Wake Forest will spend its next two weeks on the road, starting with trips to Notre Dame (Oct. 14) and Louisville (Oct. 16).
