Deacs Fall in Five to Host Owls on Day One of KSU Invitational

KENNESAW, Ga. – Stepping into its first test of the 2023 Kennesaw State Invitational, Wake Forest volleyball (6-1) took on the host Owls (5-2) in a Friday night (Sept. 8) outing. Competitive rallies went on for a full five sets, but the Demon Deacons ultimately fell in a 3-2 defeat.

The loss was Wake Forest's first of the fall season.

Sophomore setter Rian Baker notched her second double-double of the fall, posting 44 assists and 13 digs.

Friday included the first time this year that Wake Forest had four players register 10 or more kills. Ava Carney (14), Olivia Franke (11), Paige Crawford (11) and Olivia Fish (11) all steadied that end.

Franke made herself a defensive presence with a career-high six digs, along with four blocks. The senior middle blocker hit .471 from the floor in addition to her new season high in kills.

Crawford was close to a double-double, chipping in nine digs to her line.

Emma Farrell led all players in digs (14). Emmy Ogogor went 8-of-18 in attacks with only one error (.389).

How it Happened

Kennesaw State scored the first three points of the match before committing a service error.
- A good serve by Paige Crawford then gave Wake Forest another point.
Kills by Emmy Ogogor and Ava Carney cut the early deficit to 5-4.
Behind a few more errors and another big hit by Carney, Wake Forest trailed closely through the next several possessions of the first, 11-9.
Back-to-back mistakes on attacks from the Owls saw the score sitting even at 12 all.
After a reviewed play, Kennesaw State scored twice more before Olivia Fish swung hard from the right.
Once the first timeout of the evening arrived, Kennesaw State kept a one-point lead active, 15-14.
- The Owls subsequently suffered another service error right out of the break.
The Deacons continued their stellar defensive effort, with Carney and Ogogor taking turns on hits, resulting in the score going through a few more ties through the latter stretch of the first.
A service ace helped Kennesaw State jump to a 22-20 lead.
- Olivia Franke had a response with a kill and then the hosts sent a serve out of bounds before Franke and Crawford made a timely block to again tie the board, 23-23.
The Owls made an attacking error next, and Crawford put away the first frame on a lined kill from the left side.
Wake Forest won set one, 25-23.
- Carney led with five kills in the opening period while Crawford and Rian Baker each notched four digs.
Similar to the first, set two got off to a quick, evenly-played start.
- Carney slammed a ball to put Wake Forest up 3-2.
The Owls caught a momentum switch, however, plugging in seven unanswered points to lead 10-5.
- Punches by Carney and Franke put an end to the run.
Wake Forest saw some light in a short boost of its own, 4-1, and made the set a two-point game.
Crawford ultimately helped create a 15-15 tie in the second set.
- The following six rallies were subsequently traded.
Franke made some solid plays at the net, putting her Deacs narrowly ahead, 20-19.
Kennesaw State earned its way ahead in the scoring column again, capitalizing on three of its next four tries.
- Nevertheless, Crawford and Baker answered on a kill apiece.
After the Owls reached set point, 24-23, Wake Forest called a timeout.
An error on the Deacs' next attack allowed Kennesaw State to sneak away with a set-two victory, 25-23.
- Baker had 20 assists and four digs through the first two frames.
- The set involved 12 tied scores and six lead changes.
The Owls stepped ahead first in set three, 5-3, scoring on five of six early possessions.
- Errors again proved to be difference-maker, as Wake Forest trailed by three.
A few kills bumped Kennesaw State up to a 12-5 advantage.
- Ashley Slater checked in for Wake Forest.
Carney gave Wake Forest an additional point, but the Owls were able to maintain control and increase their lead to 17-7 before another timeout was taken.
- Franke put a swift touch on a kill after taking over the floor again.
  - Crawford clocked two hits not long afterward.
Kennesaw State was able to finish things in the third comfortably, 25-12.
An immediate kill by Crawford opened set four.
- Carney followed right behind the sophomore.
Baker set up Franke perfectly to give Wake Forest a 5-3 start.
Fish checked back in and took over for three consecutive kills, as the Deacons grew their lead to 10-5, forcing an Owl timeout.
- Wake Forest scored five straight before the break was issued.
After regrouping, Kennesaw State cut things down to 11-8 by netting three consecutive points.
Carney took off for a pair of high-flying hits, giving the Deacs some room again, 17-11.
- The freshman then anchored a 5-0 push.
Franke made a solo rejection, and Wake Forest reached set point on an Owl error.
Carney put some heat on one more kill, as the Black and Old Gold returned the favor in set four, winning 25-12.
- Wake Forest hit an eye-popping .429 attacking mark for the period.
  - Fish had five kills in the set alone.
Fish firstly gathered for a right-sided hit once set five opened.
Ava Torrance laced an ace to have the score read 4-4.
Kennesaw State was able to leap ahead 7-5.
- Ogogor punched one home from the right moments later.
  - With the hosts up 8-6, the two sides switched ends of the court at the fifth set's midpoint.
Carney added another kill once action resumed, but a 4-1 surge by Kennesaw State had the team up 11-7, and Wake Forest called for a floor break.
Franke and Fish posted a kill each, while the Owls tacked on two more points.
A block and final kill by Kennesaw State put an end to things, 15-9 in the fifth.
Wake Forest fell, 3-2.

Standout Stats

Wake Forest had four individuals reach double-figures in kills for the first time this season:
- Ava Carney – 14
- Olivia Franke – 11
- Paige Crawford – 11
- Olivia Fish – 11
Franke hit .471 in attacks and impressed defensively, reaching a new career high of six digs and adding four blocks.
Rian Baker finished with her second double-double of the fall – 44 assists and 13 digs.
The Deacs out-dug Kennesaw State, 52-49.

Additional Notes

Ava Carney kept her match streak of double-digit kills active, having now reached five showings in a row.
Emma Farrell has now led all individuals in digs five times in eight season appearances.
Wake Forest moved to 1-1 versus Kennesaw State in the all-time series.

From Coach Smart

"Much respect to Kennesaw State - they played great the entire match," said head coach Randi Smart. "I felt it was one of those nights where both sides competed very hard, and we had some good swings but just needed to take care of other important things. It's the way the game goes, usually. We're looking to learn off of this and get ready for another very talented opponent tomorrow afternoon."

Up Next

Day two of the Kennesaw State Invitational for Wake Forest on Saturday (Sept. 9) will feature a 3 p.m. ET matchup against Western Michigan.

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Deacs Fall in Five to Host Owls on Day One of KSU Invitational

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Team Stats

Carney Ava

Olivia Franke

Paige Crawford

Olivia Fish

Players Mentioned

Rian Baker

Paige Crawford

Emma Farrell

Olivia Fish

Olivia Franke

Emmy Ogogor

Ashley Slater

Ava Torrance

Wake Forest Athletics

Deacs Fall in Five to Host Owls on Day One of KSU Invitational

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Next Event

Team Stats

Game Leaders

Carney Ava

Olivia Franke

Paige Crawford

Olivia Fish

Players Mentioned

Rian Baker

Paige Crawford

Emma Farrell

Olivia Fish

Olivia Franke

Emmy Ogogor

Ashley Slater

Ava Torrance

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