Wake Forest University
NC A&T
Wake Forest Set to Visit NC A&T for Tuesday Match
9/5/2022 12:35:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
A lengthy road stretch is next on the Deacs’ calendar.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Fresh off an exhilarating home win over South Carolina, Wake Forest volleyball next turns its attention toward a Tuesday (Sept. 6) short trip to NC A&T.
Match time is scheduled for 6 p.m. Additionally, the contest opens up a three-week road tilt for the Demon Deacons.
Wake Forest went 1-1 last week, first dropping a four-set outing versus Arizona on Friday (Sept. 2) in North Carolina's hosted invitational. Just over 24 hours later, the Deacs bounced back in the aforementioned victory over the Gamecocks, downing the visitors in four sets after falling in the opening frame.
The Deacons have won their last nine matchups against NC A&T.
The Matchup
Tuesday, Sept. 6 – Wake Forest at NC A&T – 6 p.m. ET
Last Time Out
Friday, Sept. 2
Arizona 3, Wake Forest 1
Jumping back into match competition for the first time in six days, Wake Forest faced the Arizona Wildcats during day one of North Carolina's hosted invitational. After dropping the first two sets, the Demon Deacons made an exceptional comeback in the third before ultimately falling short in four frames (20-25, 22-25, 25-17, 22-25).
Peyton Suess and Audrey Douglas led the way with 19 and 10 kills, respectively. It was a career-best for the latter, just four matches into her Wake Forest tenure.
Olivia Murphy had eight kills, while Olivia Franke and Emmy Ogogor chipped in seven apiece. Ogogor added three blocks to her personal line.
Again making the start at setter, Rian Baker paced all individuals with 42 assists. Her 15 digs gave the freshman a second double-double in as many matches. On the defensive side, Emma Farrell made a number of admirable plays all over the floor to finish with 28 digs.
The Deacs finished with the upper hand in kills (51-46) and digs (60-54) over the Wildcats.
Saturday, Sept. 3
Wake Forest 3, South Carolina 1
Stepping in front of another electric, home crowd and creating an intense atmosphere, Wake Forest volleyball connected on all cylinders during Saturday evening, 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.
Dig This
As a team, Wake Forest currently leads the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) with a 16.95 digs-per-set average.
Through five matches, the Deacs have outdug their opponents, 339-284. In three of those outings, Wake Forest has had three individuals finish with 10 or more digs.
Four of the five contests has seen the Black and Old Gold record 60 or more digs collectively.
Wake Forest's 87 digs versus Arizona currently stands as the most by an ACC member school in a single match this season.
Freshmen Frenzy
A trio of Wake Forest freshmen have stepped up in the early part of the Deacs' fall campaign. Libero Emma Farrell has started in all five matches, while setter Rian Baker and pin hitter Olivia Murphy both have made three starts.
Farrell's 106 total digs leads the team and she ranks first in the ACC with a 5.30 digs-per-set average. The Norcross, Georgia, native has reached over 20 digs in three matches.
In her first three appearances, Baker posted two double-doubles and collected 40 or more assists on each occasion. Similarly to Farrell, she rests near the top of the conference leaderboards – being second in assists-per-set (10.67).
Giving the Deacs another reliable attacking option, Murphy has recorded at least seven kills in each of her four appearances, including 13 in her first start versus Kennesaw State. Against South Carolina, she reached double-digits in digs for the first time, ending with 17, while also assisting on three blocks.
Series History
Versus NC A&T
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Series: Wake Forest leads, 13-2
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Last Meeting: Sept. 14, 2021
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Result: W, 3-0
In the most recent meeting against the Aggies, Olivia Franke tied her career-high of 11 kills and chipped in four blocks.
Scouting the Opposition
After winning three of its first four matches to open the season, NC A&T has lost its last three contests, resting at 3-4 overall. Naiya Sawtelle, a preseason All-CAA honorable mention nod, leads the Aggies in kills (116) and service aces (18). Chiara Napoli and Addy Warfield each act as dependable setters among the roster, holding 4.59 and 4.25 assists-per-set averages.
On defense, junior libero Morgan Allen paces the squad with 97 digs. Mallory Porcher (27.0 blocks) and Maya Johnson (20.0 blocks) are the team's best front-line anchors. NC A&T was selected to finish seventh in the 2022 CAA Volleyball Preseason Poll.
Up Next
Wake Forest heads Southwest for the weekend, partaking in Texas State's 2022 Bobcat Invitational. Matchups versus the host team, Sam Houston State, and Ole Miss make up the two days of action for the Deacs (Sept. 10-11).
