Deacs Battle, Fall on the Road in Friday Night Matchup at NC State

RALEIGH, N.C. – Stepping into Valvano Arena for its first Big Four test of 2023, Wake Forest volleyball (14-5, 5-3) took on the host NC State Wolfpack (14-4, 4-3) during Friday night (Oct. 13). The Demon Deacons showcased a notable, two-way effort, scooping the first set, but ultimately fell in a 3-1 defeat.

Graduate student/defensive specialist Ava Torrance recorded a new career high in digs by the evening's conclusion, finishing with 14.

For the third time this year, Wake Forest had four individuals register double-figures in kills: Ashley Slater (12), Paige Crawford (11) Emmy Ogogor (10, and Ava Carney (10). Ogogor additionally reached the 800th kill of her career in the midst of the third set.

Crawford notched a new season best in service aces (3) while adding eight digs. Slater was the most efficient Deac, hitting .375 from the floor while tying her season high in kills and leading the team in that category for the first time this fall.

Along with Torrance, Emma Farrell and Kalani Whillock paced the defensive tempo with 15 and 10 digs, respectively.

Kylie Adams handed out 24 assists while fellow setter Rian Baker had 16.

Wake outdug the Wolfpack, 56-55.

How it Happened

Kills by Paige Crawford and Ashley Slater opened the night for Wake Forest.
- The latter would nail three straight from the right side to have her Deacs untouched, 4-0.
  - NC State subsequently took an earlier timeout.
After Slater answered once again, the Wolfpack finally got on the board with a kill, followed by two consecutive points.
It didn't take long before Crawford took charge – landing a kill and back-to-back service aces.
- NC State again called for a floor break, down 13-5.
Ava Carney checked in and was ready to go immediately, punching in three kills in a row.
Finding some rhythm, the Wolfpack went on a 5-1 run.
- Wake Forest still led 17-10 at the time of play.
NC State next suffered a service error but then was able to piece together a 7-1 boost to trim the Deacon lead to 20-17.
Slater got her team back on the board with a slam.
- Emmy Ogogor followed with big hits from the middle, reaching set point for Wake Forest.
Emma Farrell made an impressive dig that led to Carney floating for a swift kill and ending set one with the Deacons on top, 25-20.
- Slater went 6-of-9 on attacks with two errors during the first frame (.444 attacking percentage).
- Farrell chipped in six digs.
The second set started off tied at 4-4.
- Ogogor made a nice hit on a slide shortly afterward.
NC State poured in points, mainly on kills and aces, to create a 13-7 advantage.
The Deacs huddle back up at their bench after going down 16-8 in the second.
Crawford worked to make something happen for Wake Forest, clocking three kills in less than three minutes.
Carney mirrored a similar effort, netting three kills herself.
Nevertheless, through lasting traded possessions, NC State was able to hang on for a 25-18 finish in set two.
- Carney had a team-leading eight kills by the break.
NC State led 6-2 in the beginning stages of set three.
Aggression by Ogogor helped give a spark, as the Deacs trimmed the deficit to 7-5.
The Wolfpack responded with a 3-0 spurt, leading 10-5.
Olivia Franke checked in the match and hammered a kill within moments.
Wake Forest was mostly paced by Slater's head hunting and Farrell's defensive prowess making a few plays.
- Still, NC State was able to stretch its gain to 18-9.
Senior defensive specialist Megan Merril soon entered the contest.
The Wolfpack took set three, 25-12.
Wake Forest won a successful challenge not long into the fourth frame, tying the board at 2-2.
A blasted hit by Crawford and a middle touch from Ogogor put the Deacons in front, 5-3.
An NC State ace evened the margin at 8 all.
- The next six possessions went back and forth (11-11).
The same story continued, as Crawford delivered a kill to give Wake Forest a slight 15-14 edge, heading into the media timeout.
- The sophomore next laced an ace.
Errors by the Deacs allowed NC State to tie the period once again (17-17).
- Two more from Wake Forest's end bumped the Wolfpack's advantage up to 20-18.
Carney made a fix for the offense, skying from the left for a timely kill.
A final 5-1 clip gave NC State a 24-20, set-four win and the match victory.
Wake Forest fell, 3-1.

Standout Stats

Wake Forest totaled more digs compared to NC State, finishing with a 56-55 advantage.
Ava Torrance collected 14 digs, the most of her career in a single match.
Four Deacons had 10 or more kills – the third such time this has happened in a match throughout the 2023 campaign:
- Ashley Slater – 12
- Paige Crawford – 11
- Emmy Ogogor – 10
- Ava Carney – 10

Additional Notes

Friday marked a consecutive start by Slater for the first time this year, having entered the lineup both times this week (Oct. 11 vs. Virginia Tech and Oct. 13 vs. NC State).
Megan Merril made her first appearance of the year.
Ava Carney has reached 10 or more kills in 12 separate showings in 2023.

From Coach Smart

"Every ACC road match always brings a good challenge, and we knew tonight would not be any different," head coach Randi Smart acknowledged. "NC State has a balanced team with good hitters and defenders. I felt we came out with great energy and kept a focus to close out set one. The next three (sets) showed some fight but it's another reminder of how we can continue to clean up areas and strive to put ourselves in the best position possible, every night. These next few days will be important and good for us for some rest and recovery. I know we are already itching to get back into the gym and prepare for next weekend at home."

Up Next

Wake Forest will be off from match action for a week before returning home for its Alumni Weekend. A Friday evening (Oct. 20) showdown versus Louisville will firstly take place, followed by a Sunday afternoon meeting (Oct. 22) with Notre Dame.

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Deacs Battle, Fall on the Road in Friday Night Matchup at NC State

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Team Stats

Slater Ashley

Paige Crawford

Ogogor Emmy

Carney Ava

Players Mentioned

Kylie Adams

Rian Baker

Paige Crawford

Emma Farrell

Olivia Franke

Megan Merril

Emmy Ogogor

Ashley Slater

Ava Torrance

Kalani Whillock

Wake Forest Athletics

Deacs Battle, Fall on the Road in Friday Night Matchup at NC State

Related News

Next Event

Team Stats

Game Leaders

Slater Ashley

Paige Crawford

Ogogor Emmy

Carney Ava

Players Mentioned

Kylie Adams

Rian Baker

Paige Crawford

Emma Farrell

Olivia Franke

Megan Merril

Emmy Ogogor

Ashley Slater

Ava Torrance

Kalani Whillock

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