Deacs Sweep Rockets in Front of Record-Setting Crowd During 2023 Season Opener

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Looking to start its 2023 fall campaign with a bang, Wake Forest volleyball (1-0) did just that during Friday evening (Aug. 25), routing Toledo (1-1) in a 3-0 sweep for a season-opener victory.

A full house in Varsity Arena wound up being a new record-setting home attendance number for the program. 721 spectators filled up the space, breaking the previous mark of 714 that was set against North Carolina last season (Oct. 7, 2022).

Named an Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) All-Freshman Team pick a year ago, Paige Crawford paced Wake Forest with a match-high 16 kills on a .438 attacking clip. She also added six digs to her line. Middle blocker Olivia Franke displayed similar efficiency, going 9-of-16 from the floor (.438). Defensively, the senior posted three blocks.

In her first collegiate match, Ava Carney contributed nine kills. Her classmate, Dior Charles, made a wall at the net, ending with five blocks for a match-best mark.

The reigning ACC Freshman of the Year, Emma Farrell showed off her expected defensive prowess, leading all individuals with 18 digs. Fellow sophomore Rian Baker dictated the offense with 31 assists while chipping in five digs.

Wake Forest outperformed Toledo in nearly every statistical category, including points (55.0-39.0), kills (41-31), blocks (9-3), assists (38-30), and digs (46-41).

How it Happened

The first Deacon point of 2023 was quickly delivered by Olivia Franke, happening on a kill that was set up by Rian Baker.
- The senior middle blocker mirrored the same action on Wake Forest's next possession.
Action kicked off at a fast rate, as a serving error by the Rockets led to a 5-5 mark in the first.
After Toledo went on a 4-0 run, Wake Forest took its first timeout.
Franke kept her strong start going to keep her squad close by, trailing 11-10.
- She went 4-of-4 in her first few attacks.
After a Toledo attacking error led to 11 all, Franke and Audrey Douglas teamed on a block to give Wake Forest a one-point lead.
The Black and Old Gold hitters soon went on a hitting spree, led by Paige Crawford, to give the team some comfortable room and lead 19-15 at the time of play.
- Net presence by Franke and Dior Charles also played a role in the momentum shift.
Toledo kept a heady fight, cutting the deficit to two, before a tip kill from the middle evened the board at 23-23.
Following another timeout, Crawford skied to deliver a punch before the Rockets suffered another mistake on an attack, giving Wake Forest the 25-23 win in set one.
- Crawford went 5-of-7 in her hits during the period (.571 attacking percentage) while Rian Baker handed out 11 assists.
- A combined eight tied scores and three lead changes took place.
Two quick kills by Franke opened the second frame.
Confident offense by the Deacs continued.
- Baker muscled in a kill, followed by a Franke ace and then back-to-back slams by Crawford.
Toledo regrouped in a floor break, trailing 8-4.
Crawford continued to throw haymakers, and a successful challenge by Wake Forest grew its second-set lead to 13-10.
Toledo had an answer on a 5-1 spurt.
- It would be short-lived, however, with the Deacs picking up steam once again during a 7-2 boost.
  - Crawford put a nice touch on a service ace to end the period for Wake Forest, 25-17.
    - Emma Farrell collected more digs than anyone else in set two (6).
    - Crawford again tallied five kills.
Kalani Whillock laced an ace of her own early in the third set, with tight rallies taking place.
- A slew of traded possessions resulted in a slight 9-7 advantage for the Rockets.
Strong kills by both sides led to a sudden series of incredible hustle plays by the Deacs.
- Ava Torrance provided one of the evening's most impressive highlights on a rushing save that led to a kill, tying the scoring margin at 15-15.
  - The Deacons connected on eight of ten chances during the spurt.
Charles and Crawford continued to act as anchors before Ava Carney completely took over, posting four kills in less than a five-minute span.
Wake Forest ended up capitalizing on another successful challenge to stretch its gain to 22-19, followed by an ensuing pair of kills from Franke.
Toledo would only score once more before Crawford put an end to the night with an exclamation point off a lethal swing.
Wake Forest swept Toledo, 3-0.

Standout Stats

Paige Crawford's 16 kills ranks as the fourth-highest total by a Demon Deacon in a three-set showing throughout program history.
After finishing third in the ACC a year ago in digs-per-set average, the Deacons totaled 46 digs during Friday night (15.3/set).
- Emma Farrell's 18 was a match-high.
Five Wake Forest players delivered a service ace.

Additional Notes

With the win, Wake has now won its last three season openers.
The contest marked the first career starts for freshmen Ava Carney and Dior Charles.
Purdue transfer and defensive specialist Ava Torrance also made her first appearance with the Deacs – gathering five digs and earning the first kill of her collegiate career.
Up to date, in the head coach Randi Smart era, Wake Forest stands at a 28-6 overall record versus non-conference foes in regular-season play.
Olivia Franke needs 19 kills to reach 500 for her career.

From Coach Smart

"What an exciting atmosphere in our gym tonight!" said head coach Randi Smart. "Thank you to all of the fans who came to support -- we always recognize how much of a difference it makes to have their great energy with us. I thought our players showed great focus and were gritty. How we continue into tomorrow will be our next test!"

Up Next

Weekend action continues for Wake Forest tomorrow evening (Aug. 26), as the Deacs will be back in Varsity Arena to face Northeastern (0-2) during day two of its hosted invitational.

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Deacs Sweep Rockets in Front of Record-Setting Crowd During 2023 Season Opener

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Team Stats

Paige Crawford

Olivia Franke

Carney Ava

Dior Charles

Players Mentioned

Rian Baker

Dior Charles

Paige Crawford

Audrey Douglas

Emma Farrell

Olivia Franke

Ava Torrance

Kalani Whillock

Wake Forest Athletics

Deacs Sweep Rockets in Front of Record-Setting Crowd During 2023 Season Opener

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Next Event

Team Stats

Game Leaders

Paige Crawford

Olivia Franke

Carney Ava

Dior Charles

Players Mentioned

Rian Baker

Dior Charles

Paige Crawford

Audrey Douglas

Emma Farrell

Olivia Franke

Ava Torrance

Kalani Whillock

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