Deacs Fall to Seminoles on Sunday, Baker Notches 1,000th Career Assist

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Back in Varsity Arena for a second time during the 2023 Family Weekend, Wake Forest volleyball (10-3, 1-1) brought in the Florida State Seminoles (8-6, 2-0) on Sunday afternoon (Sept. 24) for a second Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) test of the fall. The Demon Deacons ultimately fell in a 3-0 defeat.

Sophomore setter Rian Baker recorded the 1,000th assist of her young collegiate career early in the contest, happening on the Deacs' third point of the first set. She finished the day with 23 assists and five digs.

Paige Crawford was the team's leader in kills (9) for the second match in a row and eighth time this year. The sophomore hitter added six digs to her line, tied for a team-high.

Emmy Ogogor and Olivia Fish chipped in seven and six kills, respectively.

Dior Charles registered five blocks – her fifth-straight showing of five or more.

Emma Farrell and Kalani Whillock collected six digs apiece. Setter Kylie Adams delivered her first assists of the season, contributing three.

How it Happened

Olivia Fish relentlessly slammed a kill to open scoring for Wake Forest in the first.
Rian Baker quickly reached her 1,000th career assist, connecting with Fish to tie the board at 3-3.
A few errors and strong attacks by both sides soon resulted in a 9-9 tie.
- Florida State next posted three points in a row.
After committing an error, two kills and a block by the Seminoles led into the first media timeout, with Wake Forest trailing 15-10.
Freshmen Fish and Dior Charles chipped in a point apiece.
Florida State suffered a mistake on its next serve followed by a neat Paige Crawford swing, and the Deacs cut the deficit to 18-14.
- The visitors subsequently took a timeout.
A total of six ensuing rallies were traded, as big defensive plays by Emma Farrell kept the Deacs close by.
Following a floating kill from Fish, Ava Carney handed out an ace.
Charles went up high for a solo block and then the freshman and Crawford teamed on a block to make it a one-point game (22-21).
The Seminoles tallied three consecutive points to finish the opening set on top, 25-21.
- Fish went 4-of-9 on attacks with only one error during the frame (.444).
Crawford leaped hard to put down a ball immediately as set two got underway.
Florida State took a 4-1 lead early on.
- A few more successful possessions grew the team's advantage to 7-3 before Wake Forest regrouped at its bench.
Ogogor took off from the right on a hammer to put her squad back in the scoring column.
Net protection helped the Seminoles go up 13-5.
Ashley Slater soon entered the set and smacked a kill on the far right side.
Earning points on five of the next seven possessions, Florida State sat at a 19-9 mark in the second.
- Crawford stopped a 5-0 run with a hit.
Wake Forest kept its effort high, putting together a 5-1 boost.
Stepping out of a timeout, Baker laced an ace and a Deacon block trimmed the Seminoles' gain to 23-17.
Punches down the middle sealed set two for Florida State, 25-18.
- Baker had 17 assists and five digs through two periods.
A 4-0 start in set three took place for the Seminoles.
- Kylie Adams checked in for Wake Forest.
By the next timeout, Florida State remained ahead, 7-1.
Ogogor seized quick momentum, sending in three kills in a row.
The visitors had an answer, ringing a 5-1 spurt.
After an unsuccessful challenge, Florida State held on to a 13-6 lead.
- An attacking error put an end to another short run by the team.
Fish had back-to-back kills afterward from a spot on the right end.
Florida State maintained control for a 25-12 finish in the third, winning the match.
Wake Forest fell, 3-0.

Standout Stats

Rian Baker became the newest member of the program's 1,000-assists club.
- The Rolling Meadows, Illinois, native is the 15th all-time player to notch such a feat.
- Baker's moment happened early in set one (3-3) on a smoothly-executed pass to Olivia Fish.
Dior Charles has totaled five or more blocks in Wake Forest's last five matches:
- Versus Florida State (Sept. 24) – 5
- Versus Miami (Sept. 22) – 5
- At Davidson (Sept. 16) – 5
- Versus App State (Sept. 15) – 7
- Versus Mississippi State (Sept. 10) – 6

From Coach Smart

"Tough fight today," said head coach Randi Smart. "Florida State is a balanced and athletic team – they played a very good match. We had good spurts at times and will need to continue to keep our focus as we continue into conference play. This upcoming week will be another good opportunity and test for us. We look forward to staying at home and getting back in the gym."

Up Next

The Deacons will remain at home next weekend, hosting Clemson (Sept. 29) and No. 13 Georgia Tech (Oct. 1). The program's annual 'Dig Pink' match is scheduled for the Clemson contest, while a theme of Mental Health Awareness takes place for the Georgia Tech outing.

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Deacs Fall to Seminoles on Sunday, Baker Notches 1,000th Career Assist

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Team Stats

Paige Crawford

Ogogor Emmy

Olivia Fish

Slater Ashley

Players Mentioned

Kylie Adams

Rian Baker

Dior Charles

Paige Crawford

Emma Farrell

Olivia Fish

Emmy Ogogor

Ashley Slater

Kalani Whillock

Wake Forest Athletics

Deacs Fall to Seminoles on Sunday, Baker Notches 1,000th Career Assist

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Next Event

Team Stats

Game Leaders

Paige Crawford

Ogogor Emmy

Olivia Fish

Slater Ashley

Players Mentioned

Kylie Adams

Rian Baker

Dior Charles

Paige Crawford

Emma Farrell

Olivia Fish

Emmy Ogogor

Ashley Slater

Kalani Whillock

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