Deacs to Host Duke and North Carolina in First Big Four Weekend

Friday, October 11

Winston-Salem, N.C.

7 P.M.

Wake Forest University

Duke

Photo by: Helen McGinnis / Wake Forest Athletics

Deacs to Host Duke and North Carolina in First Big Four Weekend

10/10/2024 12:51:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Live Streaming (vs. Duke)Live Stats (vs. Duke)Live Streaming (vs. UNC)Live Stats (vs. UNC)Match Notes

The program’s Dig Pink Match and Pride Match headline the mid-October weekend.

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Big Four action unfolds for Wake Forest volleyball this weekend, as the Demon Deacons return home to host in-state rivals Duke and North Carolina. The Blue Devils are up first, arriving into town on Friday (Oct. 11) for a 7 p.m. ET showing. During Sunday afternoon (Oct. 13), Wake Forest will face the Tar Heels at 3:30 p.m. ET.

Friday's match can be viewed on ACC Network Extra. On Sunday, the team's match will air on the ACC Network for the first time this fall.

The Deacs currently hold a 10-5 overall record and are 2-2 versus Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) opponents. Last weekend, the team traveled to the West Coast to visit California (Oct. 4) and nationally-ranked Stanford (Oct. 7), ultimately earning a win over the former.

The Matches
Friday, Oct. 11
Wake Forest vs. Duke – 7 p.m. ET

Sunday, Oct. 13
Wake Forest vs. North Carolina – 3:30 p.m. ET

Pro Humanitate -- Hurricane Helene Relief Efforts
The impact of Hurricane and Tropical Storm Helene has been catastrophic, with entire communities in western North Carolina and across the Southeast now facing the daunting task of recovery and rebuilding. Wake Forest Athletics will have donation boxes at all home events this week. The generosity of fans will go towards the North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund or to the United Way of North Carolina - Helene.

Fan Information and Weekend Promotions
There will continue to be free admission for general admission seating for all home volleyball single matches. The team plays each home contest in Varsity Arena, located on the second level of Reynolds Gymnasium (21 Wingate Rd, Winston-Salem, N.C. 27109).

Wake Forest Athletics is committed to providing the Best Fan Experience in North Carolina within a safe and fan-friendly environment.

On Friday, the program will hold its annual Dig Pink Match, centered on promoting breast cancer awareness while honoring the memory of Heather Holmes, a former head coach of the Deacs from 2005-12. The night will include a pink rally towel giveaway and all fans are encouraged to wear pink attire.

Sunday's contest will feature the team's Pride Match, involving Pride-themed mini-posters and a volleyball keychain giveaway.

Accessibility Information
Wake Forest Athletics strives to provide content at all home events, social media and on GoDeacs.com that is accessible to all fans. In the continued effort to improve accessibility of the technology and digital content at volleyball home matches this fall, fans can access closed captions here for the public address announcer and in-venue content.

Last Time Out
Friday, Oct. 4 – Wake Forest 3, California 0
An enthusiastic start from Wake Forest volleyball led to consistent control last Friday night, as the Deacs visited California in a first conference road matchup of fall 2024. Wake Forest ultimately swept the Golden Bears in a 3-0 finish (25-18, 25-16, 25-22).

Friday involved Wake Forest's third sweep of the fall.

Middle blocker Dior Charles showed out with an efficient evening – going 8-for-16 on attacks with zero errors (.500). The defensive anchor also added a match-best five blocks.

Setter Rian Baker orchestrated the Deacon offense en route to securing her fourth double-double of the year: 14 assists and 10 digs. Paige Crawford made plays on both ends of the court, finishing with eight kills and 11 digs.

Laila Ricks contributed seven kills (.353) and four blocks, while Emma Farrell led the team in digs (14).

Sunday, Oct. 6 – No. 5 Stanford 3, Wake Forest 0
Stepping into its first test versus a nationally-ranked opponent this fall, Wake Forest volleyball visited No. 5 Stanford this past Sunday afternoon. The Deacons fell in a 3-0 defeat to the Cardinal.

Outside hitter Sahara Maruska led Wake Forest on the attacking end, finishing with nine kills that tied for a match high. Additionally, three Deacs chipped in four kills apiece – Dior Charles, Olivia Murphy and Laila Ricks.

Rian Baker contributed 14 assists and five digs. Jaime Santer's six digs were a team-best mark.

At a Halfway Point
Through 15 of its 31 scheduled regular-season matches, Wake Forest continues to have a trio represent within the ACC's individual statistical sections:

Tina Grkovic – 6th in blocks (1.25/set)
Paige Crawford – 7th in service aces (25 total)
Emma Farrell – 9th in digs (3.74/set)

Grkovic's 75.0 blocks leads the Deacs and is the second-highest total clip among all conference individuals. The Belgrade, Serbia, native has paced the team in that area five different times this fall and is the only Deacon to have multiple performances of double-digit blocks – a first such accomplishment in the head coach Randi Smart era.

Up to date, Crawford has enjoyed four showings in which she registered three or more service aces. She is one of two Wake Forest individuals (along with freshman Becca Bellows) to hold 20-plus aces for the season so far.

Farrell's 232 total digs is the fifth-best mark in the league, as the junior has posted 15 or more digs on seven separate occasions. Additionally, she reached over 20 digs through three consecutive matches in a week span from Sept. 22-29.

As a team, Wake Forest is seventh in blocks among ACC member schools (2.52/set).

Victories in Varsity Arena
Since the start of the 2022 fall campaign, Wake Forest has won at least five of its first seven matches at home each season:

2024

Sept. 29 – Versus Virginia Tech (W, 3-1)
Sept. 27 – Versus Virginia (L, 2-3)
Sept. 22 – Versus Davidson (W, 3-2)
Sept. 20 – Versus App State (W, 3-1)
Sept. 1 – Versus Navy (W, 3-0)
Aug. 31 – Versus West Virginia (W, 3-2)
Aug. 30 – Versus Hofstra (L, 0-3)

2023

Oct. 1 – Versus No. 11 Georgia Tech (L, 2-3)
Sept. 29 – Versus Clemson (W, 3-0)
Sept. 24 – Versus Florida State (L, 0-3)
Sept. 22 – Versus Miami (W, 3-1)
Aug. 27 – Versus Grand Canyon (W, 3-1)
Aug. 26 – Versus Northeastern (W, 3-0)
Aug. 25 – Versus Toledo (W, 3-0)

2022

Oct. 7 – Versus North Carolina (W, 3-1)
Oct. 2 – Versus Boston College (W, 3-1)
Sept. 30 – Versus Syracuse (L, 2-3)
Sept. 3 – Versus South Carolina (W, 3-1)
Aug. 27 – Versus Kennesaw State (W, 3-1)
Aug. 27 – Versus Western Carolina (L, 2-3)
Aug. 26 – Versus NC Central (W, 3-0)

Series History
Versus Duke
Series: Duke leads, 59-16
Last Time: Nov. 3, 2023
Result: L, 1-3

Versus North Carolina
Series: North Carolina leads, 54-17
Last Time: Nov. 10, 2023
Result: L, 2-3

Scouting the Opposition
Duke is 6-9 overall and 2-2 in conference play, having tacked on wins over Boston College and Syracuse. Three Blue Devils rank in the top 10 for different ACC individual areas – Rylie Kadel (6th in hitting percentage), Mailinh Godschall (5th in digs) and Grace Penn (9th in assists). Head coach Jolene Nagel is in her 26th year leading the program.

North Carolina stands at 12-1 overall and is undefeated against league competition thus far (4-0). The Tar Heels are on an eight-match winning streak. Team veteran Mabrey Shaffmaster ranks sixth in the conference in kills (3.71/set) and third in service aces. North Carolina is currently second in the ACC standings.

Up Next
Wake Forest begins a two-week road tilt next, starting with a trip to the Midwest to take on nationally-ranked Louisville (Oct. 18) and Notre Dame (Oct. 20). Fans can catch both matches on ACC Network Extra.

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