Wake Forest University
3-2,0-0ACC
South Carolina
3-2,0-0SEC
Defense Shines in Volleyball Home Win Over Gamecocks
9/3/2022 10:35:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
Megan Merril delivered in the clutch for the Deacs!
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Stepping in front of another electric, home crowd and creating an intense atmosphere, Wake Forest volleyball (3-2) connected on all cylinders during Saturday evening (Sept. 3), knocking off South Carolina in four sets for a statement 3-1 victory. After dropping the opening set, the Demon Deacons took the final three (22-25, 25-22, 27-25, 25-21).
Junior Megan Merril was exceptional in her serving game, dishing out a career-best four service aces, with two happening in the Deacs' final two possessions to clinch the match win.
Defensive effort proved key in Wake Forest's approach, as three Deacs finished with double-figures in digs: Emma Farrell (21), Olivia Murphy (17), and Kalani Whillock (14). Additionally, Emmy Ogogor and Audrey Douglas steadied the front line with eight and four total blocks, respectively.
Offensively, Peyton Suess led the Deacs in kills for a third-straight match, tallying 13. Douglas and Ogogor chipped in 10 each. The latter hit over 44% from the field.
Freshman setter Rian Baker fell just short of recording her third consecutive double-double – finishing with a match-high 40 assists, along with nine digs.
How it Happened
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The first Wake Forest kill of the match was delivered by Olivia Franke before Peyton Suess and Rian Baker followed up, with the Deacs trailing 5-4.
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Suess soon landed another kill to tie the margin at 7-7.
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The next 12 possessions between both teams went back and forth, as Emmy Ogogor leaped for a strong swing down the middle.
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An assisted block between Ogogor and Audrey Douglas tied the board once again at 15 even.
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South Carolina then tacked on a 4-0 spree.
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Olivia Murphy chipped in a point to stop the Gamecocks' run.
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The visitors struggled with another pair of errors, as Suess punched an attack to force a timeout.
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Wake Forest worked to pick up some momentum, down 22-20.
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Capitalizing off of two Deacon errors and netting two kills of its own, South Carolina took set one, 25-22.
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The score was tied for a total of nine times throughout set one.
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Wake Forest started the second period well, scoring four of five early possessions.
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A service ace by Megan Merril put Wake Forest ahead 13-7.
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However, South Carolina connected on six-straight tries to even the score, 13-13.
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Murphy would again be the one to stop the run, reaching far for a kill.
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Suess' aggressive hits helped Wake Forest settle back into a groove, taking a 20-16 lead and forcing a South Carolina timeout.
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The two sides again broke into 'seesaw-play,' with the Deacons hanging in front, 23-20.
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Capped off with an attack error by the Gamecocks and a big Suess kill, Wake Forest bounced back in the second set, 25-22.
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South Carolina began the third frame up 4-0.
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A service error by the team gave Wake Forest its first point.
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The Deacs soon called a timeout, trailing 10-5.
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Using a mix of swings and blocks, Wake Forest crept its way back, and a successful challenge cut the deficit to 15-13.
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Through a few more rallies, the Deacons stayed close behind, as Franke threw one down to make it 19-17.
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Wake Forest refused to cool down, with Douglas pounding a kill at 24-23.
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A block by Murphy and Ogogor on the next play tied set three at 24-24.
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Into extra points, another kill by Douglas and a South Carolina attack error gave Wake Forest a third set win in intense fashion, 27-25.
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Ogogor started the fourth set off for Wake Forest on a kill and solo block.
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Her squad led 7-5 early on.
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Things remained competitive, quickly becoming an 11-11 tie.
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The same story continued through the next slate of possessions, still tied at 16-16.
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South Carolina broke free briefly before Douglas answered again, tying things at 19-19.
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Notching a two-point lead after a costly South Carolina error, Wake Forest took full advantage in its final trio of actions.
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Audrey Douglas first rose for a kill.
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Merril delivered back-to-back service aces, sealing the match victory.
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Wake Forest defeated South Carolina, 3-1, with a 25-21 fourth-set finish.
Standout Stats
For the third time in just five matches this season, Wake Forest had three individuals reach double-figures in digs:
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Emma Farrell – 21 digs
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Olivia Murphy – 17 digs
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Kalani Whillock – 14 digs
Middle blockers Emmy Ogogor and Audrey Douglas stood out in their own defensive performances, collecting eight and four total blocks, respectively.
Megan Merril went for a new career-high of four service aces.
From the Head Honcho
"The team competed and played some really great defense tonight," said head coach Randi Smart. "It was great having three players with double-digit digs! Our girls continue to work hard and earn points. I was very proud of their fight."
Up Next
Wake Forest gets back on the road for a short trip to NC A&T on Tuesday (Sept. 6), taking on the Aggies at 6 p.m. ET.
