Friday, September 1
Orlando, Fla.
4 P.M.
Wake Forest University
vs
Alabama State
Photo by: © Abby Smith
Wake Forest to Begin Road Stretch in Orlando for 2023 UCF Challenge
8/30/2023 12:40:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
About that time to start packing bags.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Wake Forest volleyball prepares to hit the road for the first time this fall, beginning the start of three consecutive invitationals held at hosting institutions.
A trip to Central Florida's campus is up first, as the Demon Deacons are set to play three matches in three days during the 2023 UCF Challenge.
The weekend will start with a Friday late-afternoon showing versus Alabama State, followed by a Saturday night matchup against the host Knights. One final appearance on Sunday afternoon, facing Florida International, will finish things off for Wake Forest.
Live stats will be available for each match while fans can view the Wake Forest-UCF contest on ESPN+.
Last weekend, Wake Forest went 3-0 in its hosted 2023 invitational, tallying wins over Toledo, Northeastern, and Grand Canyon.
2023 UCF Challenge Schedule
Friday, Sept. 1
Wake Forest vs. Alabama State – 4 p.m. ET
Saturday, Sept. 2
Wake Forest at Central Florida – 7:30 p.m. ET
Sunday, Sept. 3
Wake Forest vs. Florida International – 1 p.m. ET
Last Time Out
Match One (Friday, Aug. 25) – Wake Forest 3, Toledo 0
Looking to start its 2023 fall campaign with a bang, Wake Forest did just that last Friday (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, four solo, 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 at the setter spot, racking up 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).
Match Two (Saturday, Aug. 26) – Wake Forest 3, Northeastern 0
Fresh off its electric Friday sweep, the Deacs moved to 2-0 on Saturday evening (Aug. 26), downing Northeastern in a 3-0 decision during day two of its invitational.
A balanced offensive display was the main storyline of the contest, as seven Demon Deacons notched five or more kills. Paige Crawford and Ava Carney led the way with eight apiece while Olivia Franke went 7-of-10, suffering only one error (.600 hitting percentage).
Freshman outside hitter Olivia Fish made her collegiate debut during the matchup, quickly standing out for seven kills (.500) and an assisted block to win the final set.
Fifth-year middle blocker Emmy Ogogor also joined in as a valuable piece, finishing with six kills (.556) and three blocks. Audrey Douglas contributed six kills of her own (.667) while Dior Charles totaled five kills and three blocks.
Rian Baker again had her sharp setting active, handing out 32 assists and also impressing defensively with eight digs.
Emma Farrell led all individuals in digs (13). Ava Torracne and Kalani Whillock collected eight and six, respectively, on that end.
As a unit, Wake Forest hit .380 from the floor while tallying more points, kills, blocks, assists, and digs than Northeastern.
Match Three (Sunday, Aug. 27) – Wake Forest 3, Grand Canyon 1
Protecting its home court with a notable, collective focus, Wake Forest volleyball officially put a cap on a perfect weekend during Sunday afternoon (Aug. 27), knocking off Grand Canyon (2-1) in a 3-1 finish on the final day of its invitational. After dropping the opening set, the Demon Deacons stormed back to take three in a row.
Playing as one of four featured programs in the event, Wake Forest now stands at 3-0 overall and was the only team to go undefeated through three days of competition.
Ava Carney played as an offensive force in the victory, leading with a team-high 16 kills. She also added two blocks to her final line.
Emmy Ogogor and Paige Crawford rounded out a trio of Deacons notching double-digit numbers in kills, totaling 12 and 10, respectively. Ogogor was equally lethal on the defensive side, pacing her Deacs with four blocks.
Rian Baker shined with 43 assists, the second-highest mark of her collegiate career. Additionally, it was the fourth overall time she's recorded 40 or more. The sophomore setter chipped in three kills, a new personal-high, and 10 digs for her first double-double of the year.
Four Deacons ended with 10 or more digs, led by Emma Farrell's 23. The standout libero has reached 12 career occasions where she's contributed over 20 digs. Crawford and Ava Torrance gathered 11 each, while the latter also tossed three assists for a new career-best mark in a single match. Farrell had seven assists.
Freshmen Dior Charles and Olivia Fish each posted five kills.
Wake Forest has won six of its last seven appearances inside of Varsity Arena.
Picking Up Where She Left Off
Wake Forest volleyball picked up strong recognition on Monday afternoon (Aug. 28) when sophomore libero Emma Farrell was named Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Defensive Player of the Week.
With the conference's 'Defensive Player of the Week' being a newly added accolade this fall, Farrell becomes the first-ever individual to be honored.
Farrell has now attained three ACC weekly awards throughout her career, being named ACC Freshman of the Week twice during the 2022 campaign (Sept. 19 & Nov. 15).
Farrell had her usual floor quickness and IQ on full display during the Demon Deacons' three days of competition, leading the team in digs in each contest. She totaled 54 digs overall, averaging 5.4 per set. That mark currently stands best among all ACC individuals through week one. Farrell finished as the conference's digs-per-set leader with a 4.41 average in 2022, being the only true freshman to place in the ACC's top-10 list within the statistical category.
Week One Numbers
With the first week of 2023 fall action officially wrapped, Wake Forest currently stands in the top-five within five ACC team statistical categories, including the number one spot in digs-per-set as a group:
One can find four Wake Forest players scattered within different ACC individual top-10 sections:
Additional Notes
Series History
Versus Central Florida
Scouting the Opposition
Alabama State is seeking its first win after going 0-3 in the 2023 University of Cincinnati Invitational to start the fall. Junior outside hitter Christyn Ashby had the best two-way showings last weekend, currently leading the team in kills (22) and blocks (9.0). Senior libero Temperance Chatman posted 45 kills through her first three appearances. Back on Aug. 18, Alabama State had six players selected to the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) preseason all-conference team including the Blocker of the Year, going to Taila Gaines. She and Jada Rhodes were tabbed to the first team. Four Lady Hornets – Chatman, A'Nylah Cobb, Emily Brooks and Madison Beasley – all earned second team nods. Alabama State was also picked to finish second in the preseason poll with 149 total votes and five first-place votes.
Central Florida stands undefeated thus far (3-0), The Knights hold a 134-86 advantage in kills against opponents, as four players all tallied 24 or more kills during the team's opening weekend sweep. Abby Schomers, a redshirt freshman setter, paces the group with 105 assists. On the defensive side, three Knights have collected 20 or more digs. Head coach Jenny Maurer is in her first season at the helm of the program after serving as the associate head coach and recruiting coordinator for seven years. She initially joined the Knights' staff in January 2016.
Florida International is at 1-2 overall, coming off a loss to ACC foe Miami in the 2023 Canes Classic (Aug. 26). Freshman setter Gianna Tagoa'i was named the Conference USA Freshman of the Week on Monday (Aug. 28) after recording 52 assists and nine kills in her first three matches as a Panther. Madisen Miller, Madison Morgan, Mackenzie Morgan, Yasso Amin, Jade Sadeiko, and Kira Givans are all back as returners after playing as key contributors during 2022. FIU added a handful of newcomers – three freshmen and six transfers – to this year's roster.
Up Next
Wake Forest heads South for week three of the season, participating in Kennesaw State's invitational (Sept. 8-10). The team will take on the host Owls, Western Michigan, and Mississippi State.
Follow the Deacs
Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | GoDeacs.com
A trip to Central Florida's campus is up first, as the Demon Deacons are set to play three matches in three days during the 2023 UCF Challenge.
The weekend will start with a Friday late-afternoon showing versus Alabama State, followed by a Saturday night matchup against the host Knights. One final appearance on Sunday afternoon, facing Florida International, will finish things off for Wake Forest.
Live stats will be available for each match while fans can view the Wake Forest-UCF contest on ESPN+.
Last weekend, Wake Forest went 3-0 in its hosted 2023 invitational, tallying wins over Toledo, Northeastern, and Grand Canyon.
2023 UCF Challenge Schedule
Friday, Sept. 1
Wake Forest vs. Alabama State – 4 p.m. ET
Saturday, Sept. 2
Wake Forest at Central Florida – 7:30 p.m. ET
Sunday, Sept. 3
Wake Forest vs. Florida International – 1 p.m. ET
Last Time Out
Match One (Friday, Aug. 25) – Wake Forest 3, Toledo 0
Looking to start its 2023 fall campaign with a bang, Wake Forest did just that last Friday (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, four solo, 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 at the setter spot, racking up 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).
Match Two (Saturday, Aug. 26) – Wake Forest 3, Northeastern 0
Fresh off its electric Friday sweep, the Deacs moved to 2-0 on Saturday evening (Aug. 26), downing Northeastern in a 3-0 decision during day two of its invitational.
A balanced offensive display was the main storyline of the contest, as seven Demon Deacons notched five or more kills. Paige Crawford and Ava Carney led the way with eight apiece while Olivia Franke went 7-of-10, suffering only one error (.600 hitting percentage).
Freshman outside hitter Olivia Fish made her collegiate debut during the matchup, quickly standing out for seven kills (.500) and an assisted block to win the final set.
Fifth-year middle blocker Emmy Ogogor also joined in as a valuable piece, finishing with six kills (.556) and three blocks. Audrey Douglas contributed six kills of her own (.667) while Dior Charles totaled five kills and three blocks.
Rian Baker again had her sharp setting active, handing out 32 assists and also impressing defensively with eight digs.
Emma Farrell led all individuals in digs (13). Ava Torracne and Kalani Whillock collected eight and six, respectively, on that end.
As a unit, Wake Forest hit .380 from the floor while tallying more points, kills, blocks, assists, and digs than Northeastern.
Match Three (Sunday, Aug. 27) – Wake Forest 3, Grand Canyon 1
Protecting its home court with a notable, collective focus, Wake Forest volleyball officially put a cap on a perfect weekend during Sunday afternoon (Aug. 27), knocking off Grand Canyon (2-1) in a 3-1 finish on the final day of its invitational. After dropping the opening set, the Demon Deacons stormed back to take three in a row.
Playing as one of four featured programs in the event, Wake Forest now stands at 3-0 overall and was the only team to go undefeated through three days of competition.
Ava Carney played as an offensive force in the victory, leading with a team-high 16 kills. She also added two blocks to her final line.
Emmy Ogogor and Paige Crawford rounded out a trio of Deacons notching double-digit numbers in kills, totaling 12 and 10, respectively. Ogogor was equally lethal on the defensive side, pacing her Deacs with four blocks.
Rian Baker shined with 43 assists, the second-highest mark of her collegiate career. Additionally, it was the fourth overall time she's recorded 40 or more. The sophomore setter chipped in three kills, a new personal-high, and 10 digs for her first double-double of the year.
Four Deacons ended with 10 or more digs, led by Emma Farrell's 23. The standout libero has reached 12 career occasions where she's contributed over 20 digs. Crawford and Ava Torrance gathered 11 each, while the latter also tossed three assists for a new career-best mark in a single match. Farrell had seven assists.
Freshmen Dior Charles and Olivia Fish each posted five kills.
Wake Forest has won six of its last seven appearances inside of Varsity Arena.
Picking Up Where She Left Off
Wake Forest volleyball picked up strong recognition on Monday afternoon (Aug. 28) when sophomore libero Emma Farrell was named Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Defensive Player of the Week.
With the conference's 'Defensive Player of the Week' being a newly added accolade this fall, Farrell becomes the first-ever individual to be honored.
Farrell has now attained three ACC weekly awards throughout her career, being named ACC Freshman of the Week twice during the 2022 campaign (Sept. 19 & Nov. 15).
Farrell had her usual floor quickness and IQ on full display during the Demon Deacons' three days of competition, leading the team in digs in each contest. She totaled 54 digs overall, averaging 5.4 per set. That mark currently stands best among all ACC individuals through week one. Farrell finished as the conference's digs-per-set leader with a 4.41 average in 2022, being the only true freshman to place in the ACC's top-10 list within the statistical category.
Week One Numbers
With the first week of 2023 fall action officially wrapped, Wake Forest currently stands in the top-five within five ACC team statistical categories, including the number one spot in digs-per-set as a group:
| Statistical Category | Rank | Per-Set Average |
| Digs | 1st | 15.50 |
| Points | 5th | 18.20 |
| Hitting Percentage | T-3rd | .311 |
| Assists | 4th | 13.30 |
| Kills | 3rd | 14.70 |
One can find four Wake Forest players scattered within different ACC individual top-10 sections:
| Name | Statistical Category | Rank | Per-Set Average |
| Emma Farrell | Digs | 1st | 5.40 |
| Emmy Ogogor | Hitting Percentage | 4th | .556 |
| Paige Crawford | Points | 7th | 4.10 |
| Paige Crawford | Kills | 10th | 3.40 |
Additional Notes
- Wake Forest is sitting at its first 3-0 start within a season since 2021.
- Olivia Franke needs only eight kills to reach 500 for her career.
- The senior middle blocker is off to an efficient start for her senior campaign, holding a .486 clip in attacks.
- Emma Farrell has maintained a remarkable stretch of 15 consecutive weeks in being the ACC's digs-per-set leader, tracing back to week two of her freshman season in 2022.
- This active feat is the longest ever held by a Wake Forest player.
- Wake Forest is currently tied for third in the ACC team standings.
Series History
Versus Central Florida
- Series: Wake Forest leads, 1-0
- Last Time: Oct. 26, 1984
- Result: W, 3-0
- Series: FIU leads, 1-0
- Last Time: Oct. 19, 1984
- Result: L, 0-3
Scouting the Opposition
Alabama State is seeking its first win after going 0-3 in the 2023 University of Cincinnati Invitational to start the fall. Junior outside hitter Christyn Ashby had the best two-way showings last weekend, currently leading the team in kills (22) and blocks (9.0). Senior libero Temperance Chatman posted 45 kills through her first three appearances. Back on Aug. 18, Alabama State had six players selected to the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) preseason all-conference team including the Blocker of the Year, going to Taila Gaines. She and Jada Rhodes were tabbed to the first team. Four Lady Hornets – Chatman, A'Nylah Cobb, Emily Brooks and Madison Beasley – all earned second team nods. Alabama State was also picked to finish second in the preseason poll with 149 total votes and five first-place votes.
Central Florida stands undefeated thus far (3-0), The Knights hold a 134-86 advantage in kills against opponents, as four players all tallied 24 or more kills during the team's opening weekend sweep. Abby Schomers, a redshirt freshman setter, paces the group with 105 assists. On the defensive side, three Knights have collected 20 or more digs. Head coach Jenny Maurer is in her first season at the helm of the program after serving as the associate head coach and recruiting coordinator for seven years. She initially joined the Knights' staff in January 2016.
Florida International is at 1-2 overall, coming off a loss to ACC foe Miami in the 2023 Canes Classic (Aug. 26). Freshman setter Gianna Tagoa'i was named the Conference USA Freshman of the Week on Monday (Aug. 28) after recording 52 assists and nine kills in her first three matches as a Panther. Madisen Miller, Madison Morgan, Mackenzie Morgan, Yasso Amin, Jade Sadeiko, and Kira Givans are all back as returners after playing as key contributors during 2022. FIU added a handful of newcomers – three freshmen and six transfers – to this year's roster.
Up Next
Wake Forest heads South for week three of the season, participating in Kennesaw State's invitational (Sept. 8-10). The team will take on the host Owls, Western Michigan, and Mississippi State.
Follow the Deacs
Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | GoDeacs.com
Players Mentioned
S
/ Women's Volleyball
MB
/ Women's Volleyball
OH
/ Women's Volleyball
MB
/ Women's Volleyball
DS
/ Women's Volleyball
OH/RS
/ Women's Volleyball
MB
/ Women's Volleyball
MB/RS
/ Women's Volleyball
DS
/ Women's Volleyball
DS/OH
/ Women's VolleyballMatt Barrie SportsCenter at Wake Forest with Demond Claiborne
Wednesday, September 10
Matt Barrie SportsCenter on Wake Forest Campus (Arnold Palmer Complex)
Wednesday, September 10
Football Media Availability (9/9/25)
Wednesday, September 10
Wake Forest Football vs Western Carolina | Cinematic Recap
Tuesday, September 09