Friday, October 18
Louisville, Ky.
7 P.M.
Wake Forest University
10-8,2-5ACC
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at
3
Louisville
15-2,7-0ACC
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F
Wake Forest
20
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Louisville
25
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25
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Deacons Battle No. 4 Cardinals, Maruska Reaches Milestone
10/18/2024 9:03:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
Sahara Maruska notched her 1,000th career kill on Friday night.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Marking the start of a two-week stretch consisting of four straight road matches, Wake Forest volleyball visited No. 4 Louisville on Friday night (Oct. 18). The Demon Deacons (10-8, 2-5) ultimately fell to the Cardinals (15-2, 7-0) in three sets (20-25, 19-25, 12-25).
Sahara Maruska attained a new career feat in the contest, reaching over 1,000 career kills. The milestone occurred in set two. In her first season with the Deacs this fall, Maruska ranks second on the roster in kills and has started in each of the team's 18 matches thus far. She finished the evening as the team leader in kills with 11, which also tied for a match high.
Paige Crawford went 7-of-15 on her attacks while suffering only two errors (.333). Fellow junior Rian Baker led all individuals with a season-high 29 assists.
Defensively, Emma Farrell finished with a match-best 13 digs while Tina Grkovic had four blocks on the evening.
The Deacs' matchup versus the Cardinals was their second versus a nationally-ranked program this fall.
How it Happened
Standout Stats
Additional Notes
From Coach Smart
"Playing in an environment like Louisville always brings a challenge for any team. They played with patience and balance. We are continuing to see different players step up in various areas, which is encouraging. Congratulations to Sahara for getting her 1,000th kill! She has been a tremendous addition to our program this year - we are very happy for her. We need to keep our heads up and focus for another test on Sunday…going into another environment that will require poised play."
Up Next
The Deacons step into South Bend on Sunday (Oct. 20), visiting Notre Dame for an afternoon contest. First serve is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET and the match can be viewed on ACC Network Extra.
Follow the Deacs
Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | GoDeacs.com
Sahara Maruska attained a new career feat in the contest, reaching over 1,000 career kills. The milestone occurred in set two. In her first season with the Deacs this fall, Maruska ranks second on the roster in kills and has started in each of the team's 18 matches thus far. She finished the evening as the team leader in kills with 11, which also tied for a match high.
Paige Crawford went 7-of-15 on her attacks while suffering only two errors (.333). Fellow junior Rian Baker led all individuals with a season-high 29 assists.
Defensively, Emma Farrell finished with a match-best 13 digs while Tina Grkovic had four blocks on the evening.
The Deacs' matchup versus the Cardinals was their second versus a nationally-ranked program this fall.
How it Happened
- Making her first start for the Deacs, Jaime Santer clocked a kill on the opening possession of set one.
- Tina Grkovic followed with a middle hit moments later.
- Wake Forest was successful in its hitting game early, taking a 7-3 lead after Sahara Maruska scored twice.
- A 5-1 run by the Cardinals tied the frame at 8-8.
- Santer scored next before Louisville went on another spree up through the first media timeout.
- At the break, Wake Forest trailed 15-11.
- Maruska nailed a ball immediately upon stepping back onto the floor.
- The outside hitter and Dior Charles continued to help pace the Deacs, as Louisville suffered a few errors.
- After Grkovic made a solo block, the Deacons had the deficit cut down to 19-18.
- Louisville responded with three straight points.
- The Cardinals reached set point on a Wake Forest serving error and then finished off the period with a kill near the middle, 25-20.
- Rian Baker had 10 assists in the first.
- Underway in set two, the first eight combined possessions were traded between the two sides, as Maruska took off to hammer down her fifth kill.
- Back-to-back plays of a kill and block by Grkovic put the Deacs in front, 7-6.
- Maruska especially stood out with her swings through the rallies.
- Following a challenge apiece by each team, Wake Forest remained close by (11-8).
- The Deacs regrouped after Louisville scored two more points consecutively.
- Olivia Murphy chipped in for the Deacs once play resumed.
- Maruska reached her 1,000th career kill midway in the second (16-13).
- Paige Crawford soon checked in for Wake Forest, quickly notching a pair of kills.
- Louisville remained ahead, 22-18.
- Reaching set point on a service ace, Louisville wrapped set two with a final hit from the right side, 25-19.
- Maruska and Emma Farrell had 10 kills and nine digs, respectively, at the time.
- Laila Ricks started the third set for the Deacons.
- Seven of the period's first eight points went to the Cardinals.
- Wake Forest subsequently called for a timeout.
- Grkovic stopped the Louisville run with a kill.
- Wake Forest subsequently called for a timeout.
- Crawford quickly and successfully went for back-to-back hits, giving her Deacs some fire (11-7).
- The junior went on to help chip in additional points before the next floor break arrived.
- Louisville led 18-9.
- The junior went on to help chip in additional points before the next floor break arrived.
- The Cardinals led up only three points down the stretch, securing the match with a 25-12 victory in set three.
- Wake Forest fell, 3-0.
Standout Stats
- Sahara Maruska led Wake Forest in kills for a second consecutive match, finishing with 11.
- She reached her 1,000th career kill in set two with a patient swing from the left side of the court.
- The Houston native has totaled 25 kills in her last six sets played.
- Emma Farrell's dig total (13) and Rian Baker's assists (29) were both match highs.
Additional Notes
- Wake Forest and Louisville competed against each other for the 18th time throughout series history.
- Friday featured Wake Forest's second matchup of the fall against a nationally-ranked foe.
- Tina Grkovic led the team in blocks for the sixth time this year.
- Jaime Santer made her first match start of the season.
- Sahara Maruska paced the team in kills for the third time this season.
From Coach Smart
"Playing in an environment like Louisville always brings a challenge for any team. They played with patience and balance. We are continuing to see different players step up in various areas, which is encouraging. Congratulations to Sahara for getting her 1,000th kill! She has been a tremendous addition to our program this year - we are very happy for her. We need to keep our heads up and focus for another test on Sunday…going into another environment that will require poised play."
Up Next
The Deacons step into South Bend on Sunday (Oct. 20), visiting Notre Dame for an afternoon contest. First serve is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET and the match can be viewed on ACC Network Extra.
Follow the Deacs
Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | GoDeacs.com
Team Stats
WF
LOU
Kills
32
41
Errors
20
11
Attempts
98
86
Hitting %
.122
.349
Points
39.0
54.0
Assists
31
37
Aces
2
3
Blocks
5
10
Game Leaders
Kills
11
Aces
1
Blocks
0
Kills
7
Aces
0
Blocks
0
Kills
4
Aces
1
Blocks
4
Kills
4
Aces
0
Blocks
2
Players Mentioned
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/ Women's Volleyball
MB
/ Women's Volleyball
OH
/ Women's Volleyball
DS
/ Women's Volleyball
MB
/ Women's Volleyball
OH
/ Women's Volleyball
OH/RS
/ Women's Volleyball
RS
/ Women's Volleyball
OH
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