Deacons Wrap Non-Conference Slate With Gritty Five-Set Victory Over Davidson

DAVIDSON, N.C. – Matched against the Davidson Wildcats (8-2) for the first time since the 2022 postseason, Wake Forest volleyball (9-2) again steadied focus as a whole through five sets of competitive action and earned a 3-2 win on Saturday evening (Sept. 16).

The feat secured a third weekend sweep of 2023 for the Demon Deacons, as the team officially wrapped non-conference play.

A fourth season double-double happened by Rian Baker, including a new career high in assists (50), along with 13 digs. The sophomore added three kills and two service aces as well.

Saturday marked the second time this year in which four Wake Forest individuals notched double-digits for kills: Ava Carney (13), Paige Crawford (12), Emmy Ogogor (11) and Dior Charles (10).

Charles' total in kills was her best of the season. She finished as the most efficient Deac, hitting .389 from the floor, and made five blocks. Crawford and Carney also impressed defensively, each garnering nine digs.

Emma Farrell posted a match-best 20 digs – the 13th time in her career where she's recorded 20 or more. Ava Torrance tied her career high in digs with 13.

Olivia Fish chipped in seven kills and a season-high six blocks.

Wake Forest totaled more aces (9-5) and blocks (10-9) than Davidson.

How it Happened

A kill apiece by Paige Crawford and Emmy Ogogor opened Saturday afternoon.
Davidson registered two kills before suffering a few errors, as an Ava Torrance service ace upped Wake Forest's early lead to 6-3.
- The Wildcats responded with four straight points.
Ogogor led the way with a couple of kills through the next few rallies, traded between both sides.
- Things were tied at 11 at the time of action.
Wake Forest went up by two points (15-13) before Davidson stepped in front by one.
Hits were thrown but a few were long, as the margin became tied up again, 20-20.
Errors on the Wildcats' next serve and attack allowed the Deacons to take a 22-20 mark.
- The first timeout of the afternoon took place next.
It wasn't long before an ace by Emma Farrell placed Wake Forest at set point.
- After the sophomore hustled for a save, Ogogor put the exclamation mark on set one with a solo block, giving Wake Forest a 25-21 victory.
  - Ogogor went 5-of-8 in attacks for the frame.
Both teams kept going toe-for-toe once set two got underway.
Davidson held a 7-5 advantage early.
A flurry of kills bumped the host's gain to 12-7, as Wake Forest called for a timeout.
- A second ace by Farrell, followed by an Ogogor slam, helped pour a couple of more points in the column.
- Crawford laced an ace of her own minutes later.
Four unanswered points by the Black and Old Gold narrowed the deficit before Davidson scored two more.
At the next timeout, Wake Forest trailed 18-14 in set two.
Carney threw down a ball and two more Wildcats errors forced the team to take a floor break.
Three kills in the following six possessions gave Davidson some breathing room, 23-19.
- Another punch from the right led to set point for the Wildcats.
- The same was done from the left next, as Wake Forest fell in set two, 25-19.
  - Rian Baker and Farrell had 20 assists and 10 digs, respectively, through the first two periods.
Wake Forest took all of the opening five points in set three.
Different Deacons took turns in powerful hits and Torrance delivered an ace to increase the lead to 10-3.
A 6-1 spurt by Davidson cut Wake Forest's advantage down to 12-10.
- Dior Charles, however, had a quick response by flying from the right to nail a kill.
  - Her classmate, Ava Carney, then dished an ace and the lead remained at three points.
The competition remained high, leading into a 17-17 tie in the third.
Three more tied scores ensued before Carney helped Wake Forest break free, going ahead 22-20.
The Deacons were able to take advantage of lasting Davidson errors before Olivia Fish hunted down a kill to give a 25-21 set-three finish in Wake Forest's favor.
- Ogogor reached her 10th kill in the frame, staying efficient on a .368 hitting mark at the time.
Set four went back and forth right away, tied at 7-7.
- Ogogor put some power on her next punch for Wake Forest, angling on the right end.
  - Baker followed on a lined ace.
Much of the same continued, as Crawford went back-to-back on kills and gave her Deacs a slight 15-14 edge.
Immediately tallying three points in a row, Davidson subsequently stood in front on a 18-17 clip.
After the Wildcats scored twice more consecutively, Wake Forest took a timeout.
Charles quickly seized control, producing two kills in a row to create a two-point game.
Davidson, however, had an answer in ringing a 3-0 boost, staying ahead 23-20.
- Two final kills by the host put the cap on set four, 25-21.
  - Baker plugged in 13 assists and five digs within the period.
A high attack error by Davidson saw set five even at 3-3.
Two Crawford swings put Wake Forest up 6-4.
The Wildcats totaled three-straight points, highlighted with a service ace.
- Davidson led 8-7 midway in the set.
Wake Forest found some momentum once changing ends of the court, leaping ahead 10-8.
After knotting a 10-10 tie, Davidson handed an ace.
- Carney thundered a kill on the next possession.
Ogogor made a clutch ace right after and the Wildcats committed an error on their following serve.
Fish and Charles connected on a block, reaching match point for Wake Forest.
Carney put the contest to a close with a powerful hit, giving Wake Forest the 15-12 win in set five.
Wake Forest downed Davidson, 3-2.

Standout Stats

Rian Baker set a new career high in assists on Saturday, tossing out 50 in five sets.
- Additionally, the sophomore tallied her fourth double-double of 2023:
  - At Davidson (9/16/23): 50 assists and 13 digs
  - Versus App State (9/15/23): 43 assists and 14 digs
  - At Kennesaw State (9/8/23): 44 assists and 13 digs
  - Versus Grand Canyon (8/27/23): 43 assists and 10 digs
Dior Charles posted her first collegiate performance of double-figures in kills, ending with 10 on the evening.
Wake Forest had four of its own notch 10 or more kills for the second time this year:
- Ava Carney – 13
- Paige Crawford – 12
- Emmy Ogogor – 11
- Dior Charles – 10
Olivia Fish's six blocks both led all individuals and was a new season-best mark.
The Deacs held an advantage in aces (9 to 5) and blocks (10 to 9) against Davidson.

Additional Notes

Paige Crawford is nearing her 500th career kill, needing only 17 more.
Emmy Ogogor totaled 25 kills in 10 total sets played through the Davidson Invitational, her most in a weekend this year.
Rian Baker averaged 9.3 assists in 10 sets played for the weekend, totaling 93.
- She is 41 assists away from reaching 1,000 for her young career.
Wake Forest has now won three of its last four matchups versus Davidson.
Finishing its non-conference slate for the 2023 regular season, Wake Forest is currently 36-8 versus non-conference competition in the head coach Randi Smart era.

From Coach Smart

"Just like last night, today was another full-out, gritty volleyball match," said head coach Randi Smart. "Davidson is a very talented team that does several things well. We received strong contributions from a handful of our players, both offensively and defensively. I was again proud of how we locked in down the stretch and refused to quit fighting. A great way to end off the weekend – I am proud of this group and excited for us to be back home for a few weeks!"

Up Next

The start of conference play will begin for Wake Forest in a two-week homestand, as Miami and Florida State are set to come to Winston-Salem next weekend on Sept. 22 and 24, respectively.

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Deacons Wrap Non-Conference Slate With Gritty Five-Set Victory Over Davidson

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Team Stats

Carney Ava

Paige Crawford

Ogogor Emmy

Dior Charles

Players Mentioned

Rian Baker

Dior Charles

Paige Crawford

Emma Farrell

Olivia Fish

Emmy Ogogor

Ava Torrance

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Deacons Wrap Non-Conference Slate With Gritty Five-Set Victory Over Davidson

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Team Stats

Game Leaders

Carney Ava

Paige Crawford

Ogogor Emmy

Dior Charles

Players Mentioned

Rian Baker

Dior Charles

Paige Crawford

Emma Farrell

Olivia Fish

Emmy Ogogor

Ava Torrance

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