Wake Forest University
Syracuse
Deacs to Bring ACC Weekend Competition to Reynolds Gymnasium
9/29/2022 9:43:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Home sweet home.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Following a three-week road stretch, Wake Forest volleyball officially returns to its home court this weekend, holding two Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) matchups in Reynolds Gymnasium. Syracuse will arrive in Winston-Salem for a Friday evening contest (Sept. 30) before Boston College steps in on Sunday (Oct.2).
Both of the Demon Deacons' matches will air on ACC Network Extra.
Opening up its conference slate last week, Wake Forest split in matches at Georgia Tech and Clemson, sweeping the latter in three sets for a first ACC win of the fall.
The Deacs finished on an 8-3 mark in non-conference play this year.
The Matches
Friday, Sept. 30 – Syracuse at Wake Forest – 5 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 2 – Boston College at Wake Forest – 1 p.m.
Last Time Out
Georgia Tech 3, Wake Forest 0
Stepping into an atmosphere consisting of roaring noise and a sold-out crowd, Wake Forest began its 2022 ACC schedule with a visit to Georgia Tech this past Friday evening (Sept. 23). The host team ultimately defeated the Demon Deacons on a 3-0 clip (17-25, 11-25, 15-25).
Friday's contest was the first conference outing for both teams.
For the third time in as many weeks, Wake Forest had an individual reach a personal milestone. Sophomore Kalani Whillock recorded the 500th dig of her young career, doing so in the match's third set. The Keller, Texas native achieved the feat through a total of 39 career matches.
Paige Crawford led the Deacs with seven kills. Joining her on the hitting end were Olivia Franke, Olivia Murphy, and Ashley Slater, each picking up four kills.
Andrea Fuentes was close to securing a double-double, finishing with 19 assists and eight digs.
Back near her hometown and playing as a crowd favorite, Emma Farrell tallied 11 digs.
Wake Forest 3, Clemson 0
Finishing out the opening weekend of conference play, the Deacs saw contributions from all across its roster on Sunday afternoon (Sept. 25) en route to a 3-0 sweep over Clemson. Two of the match's three sets went into a period of extra points (25-22, 29-27, 28-26).
Sunday's victory marked the first in conference play this year for the Demon Deacons. Additionally, the win was Wake Forest's first over Clemson since Nov. 16, 2018.
Peyton Suess set the tone from the jump – piecing a remarkable performance of 14 kills, on a .367 hitting percentage, five digs, and three assisted blocks. Olivia Franke was effective in her hits, totaling seven kills and a .385 clip. Lauren Strain rounded out the efficiency in going 3-of-7 on attacks.
Paige Crawford gave the Deacs a notable spark with a line of 11 kills and eight digs.
Rian Baker and Andrea Fuentes also played as two-way standouts, posting showings of 27 assists, seven digs and 13 assists, five digs, respectively.
Emma Farrell chipped in a team-high nine digs. Emmy Ogogor was another defensive standout, giving protection on five total blocks.
As a team, Wake Forest tallied a .265 attacking mark in comparison to Clemson's .190.
Weekend Promotions
A Friday evening theme titled 'Happy Fall, Y'all!' headlines Wake Forest's match against Syracuse. Among the fall theme, fans will also have the opportunity to swing by a photobooth located just outside of Varsity Arena in Reynolds Gymnasium prior to first serve.
Sunday's contest will focus on an annual Mental Health Awareness theme, including a giveaway of a variety of green-colored items.
Still Digging It
Having entered week six of the 2022 campaign, Wake Forest stands atop the conference in digs-per-set as a team, handling a 15.33 average through 45 sets. Freshman libero Emma Farrell continues to play a major hand on that end in remaining the ACC individual leader since week two of the season (5.04). The Deacons' 87 total digs versus Arizona earlier this month (Sept. 2) was the highest season total in a four-set match by a member team within the conference.
Series History
Versus Syracuse
-
Series: Syracuse leads, 10-1
-
Last Meeting: Oct. 1, 2021
-
Result: L, 1-3
Versus Boston College
-
Series: Wake Forest leads, 17-10
-
Last Meeting: Oct. 3, 2021
-
Result: W, 3-2
Scouting the Opposition
Syracuse is one of four conference teams to have won its first two ACC tests, and rests at a 6-6 overall mark. Polina Shemanova is the top hitter for the Orange, playing as a top-five conference individual in kills-per-set (3.79). Fellow upperclassman Viktoriia Lokhmanchuk trails not far behind with a 3.52 average. Additionally, the two outside hitters rank as ACC top-five leaders in points-per-set, with 4.29 and 4.16 clips, respectively. Lauren Woodford acts as a primary setter (254 assists) and Alyssa Bert is a standout libero (174 digs). Syracuse has outperformed its opponents in assists (543-542), digs (681-671), and total blocks (104.0-91.5).
Coming off a Wednesday evening (Sept. 28) five-set victory over Bryant University in its final non-conference match of the regular season, Boston College has upped its record to 13-3 (1-1) and will play Virginia Tech on Friday (Sept. 30). Middle blocker Kate Brennan is the ACC's top player in attacking efficiency (.478) while Julia Haggerty's 72.0 blocks leads both the Eagles and the conference. Sophia Lambros and Alayna Crabtree each compete as ACC top-five individuals in total service aces. Anna Murphy's 220 digs are the third-most in the conference. Boston College has won three of its last four matches.
Up Next
Wake Forest continues its homestand next week, bringing in two Big Four opponents in the form of North Carolina (Oct. 7) and NC State (Oct. 9).
