Deacs Test No. 5 Louisville, Fall in Five Sets

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – In front of another packed home crowd on Friday evening (Oct. 20) for the start of its 2023 Alumni Weekend, Wake Forest volleyball (14-6, 5-4) took on No. 5 Louisville (17-2, 8-1) with some serious fight. The Demon Deacons captured the first two sets before ultimately suffering a 3-2, five-set defeat.

Paige Crawford led the Wake Forest attacking tempo with a team-best 12 kills. The sophomore also contributed seven digs.

Ashley Slater chipped in nine kills while Ava Carney and Emmy Ogogor totaled eight apiece.

Kalani Whillock finished with 16 digs to pace the Deacon defense – one short of tying her season high. Emma Farrell collected 12 of those and Ava Torrance had eight.

Rian Baker and Kylie Adams handed out 18 and 14 assists, respectively.

Carney, Ogogor and Dior Charles each tallied three blocks.

How it Happened

Kalani Whillock showed sharp serving early, delivering an ace on the second possession of the first set.
Wake Forest opened the night on a strong note, leading 5-0.
Committing another attacking error next, Louisville called for a timeout.
- The team's first trio of points happened on a kill and two solo blocks.
Emmy Ogogor had a strong punch near the middle and the Deacons stayed ahead (10-3) after Louisville suffered an unsuccessful challenge.
- A few head-turning, defensive plays took place next by the Black and Old Gold, with Ava Torrance in the mix.
The Cardinals worked up a 4-1 push before the two sides traded service errors.
Wake Forest took a floor break after the lead was cut down to 13-10.
- Hitters Paige Crawford and Ava Carney stepped up to send in kills after taking over the court again.
  - A block by the latter helped keep her squad in front in the first, 18-14.
Kendall Phillips checked in for the Deacs.
A couple of traded rallies occurred, as the margin stayed close – 21-18 in Wake Forest's favor.
- Slater posted a nice, angled kill immediately afterward.
  - After the senior put her Deacs at set point, an error on Louisville's next serve gave Wake Forest a set-one victory, 25-21.
    - Emma Farrell was a major standout defensively, tallying eight digs in the opening frame.
Louisville held a 4-1 advantage to start set two.
It was not long before Crawford lined an ace to tie the board at 5 all.
- Ogogor followed with two of her own moments later, giving Wake Forest a 9-6 gain.
Competition remained tight through the second, as Slater swung down a ball from the right.
Louisville won a challenge, creating a one-point game – the Deacons up 12-11.
Things soon became tied (14-14).
- Rian Baker made a dump kill right before the media timeout was whistled.
A Carney kill again had evened up the margin before Dior Charles and Slater connected on a big rejection.
Trailing by one (21-20), Wake Forest decided to regroup at its bench.
Farrell made a timely ace and Slater placed Wake Forest at set point once again.
Crawford clocked a ball from the left end to end the second frame, 25-23.
- Four Deacs had six or more kills at the time.
Scoring on three of its first three possessions, Louisville tacked on a 7-4 start in the third.
Five of the next eight tries went the way of the Cards, and Wake Forest took a timeout, trailing 12-7.
A quick 3-1 spurt by the Deacons shrunk the deficit to four points.
- Crawford played a heavy role with her elite hitting.
Louisville had an answer, plugging in four more points.
Stepping out of a timeout, a final 6-2 surge by the visitors put away set three, with Louisville's first such win of the night (25-15).
The Cardinals led 5-0 in the opening stages of set four.
Olivia Fish soon checked in the game and Louisville made an error on the following serve.
Louisville remained up big in the fourth, 18-2.
After an incredible hustle play made by Crawford and Torrance, Wake Forest earned its fourth point on a Carney swing and Audrey Douglas entered the contest.
The Cardinals kept their control to win set four, 25-5.
Louisville led 4-1 as the fifth set unfolded.
- Crawford smashed a ball fresh out of a timeout break.
At the midpoint of set five, Louisville led 8-3.
- The Cardinals scored twice more after the two teams switched benches.
An unsuccessful challenge had the score at 12-5, with Louisville in front.
Wake Forest put two more points in the column, but the Cards were able to finish the night victoriously on a 15-7 win in set five.
The Deacons fell to No. 5 Louisville, 3-2.

Standout Stats

Kalani Whillock led Wake Forest in digs for the first time this fall, ending with 16 on the night.
Paige Crawford continues to act as the team leader in kills, posting 12 by Friday's conclusion.

From Coach Smart

"Tough battle," said head coach Randi Smart. "We put ourselves in a strong position after the first two sets, and credit to Louisville for how they responded. They hold a high national ranking and made big plays. Now, it is in our control in how we answer back on Sunday in what should be another competitive volleyball match.

"It is wonderful to have our program alumni back home this weekend. We are very grateful for how they have continued to support us over the years and tonight showed. It is one big 'family' reunion, and these moments are always special."

Up Next

Wake Forest is back in Varsity Arena on Sunday afternoon (Oct. 22) to face Notre Dame. The match is slated for a 12 p.m. ET start time and will air on ACC Network.

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Team Stats

Paige Crawford

Slater Ashley

Ogogor Emmy

Carney Ava

Players Mentioned

Kylie Adams

Rian Baker

Dior Charles

Paige Crawford

Audrey Douglas

Emma Farrell

Olivia Fish

Emmy Ogogor

Kendall Phillips

Ashley Slater

Ava Torrance

Kalani Whillock

Wake Forest Athletics