Friday, November 8
Tallahassee, Fla.
6:30 P.M.
Wake Forest University
at
Florida State
Photo by: Seth Seebaugh
Wake Forest to Travel South for Road Matchups at No. 24 Florida State and Miami
11/7/2024 11:29:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Week 12 of the fall season takes the Deacs to The Sunshine State.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Four weeks of regular-season play remain for Wake Forest volleyball, beginning with the team's final out-of-state trip this weekend. The Demon Deacons (13-10, 5-7) are set to travel to the state of Florida for road matches at No. 24 Florida State and Miami on Friday at 6:30 p.m. ET (Nov. 8) and Sunday at 12 p.m. ET (Nov. 10), respectively.
Fans can view the Deacons-Seminoles matchup on ACC Network Extra during Friday night. Sunday's contest at Miami will air on ACC Network – a second such appearance for Wake Forest this season.
The Deacs most recently opened the month of November at home, hosting Boston College (Nov. 1) and Syracuse (Nov. 3). Wake Forest earned a four-set victory over the Orange for its sixth home win of the fall.
The Matches
Friday, Nov. 8
Wake Forest at No. 24 Florida State – 6:30 p.m. ET
Sunday, Nov. 10
Wake Forest at Miami – 12 p.m. ET
Last Time Out
Friday, Nov. 1 – Boston College 3, Wake Forest 0
Making a return to Varsity Arena for the first time in over two weeks, Wake Forest volleyball faced Boston College last Friday evening. The Deacons ultimately fell to the Eagles in three sets (15-25, 15-25, 21-25).
Sahara Maruska led all individuals in kills, finishing with nine. The Houston native also totaled her best hitting percentage (with 15 or more attacks) in a single match this year, going 9-of-15 with only one error for a .533 clip.
Paige Crawford and Dior Charles added six kills apiece. Rian Baker contributed 12 assists and seven digs while Emma Farrell chipped in seven digs of her own.
Sunday, Nov. 3 – Wake Forest 3, Syracuse 1
Looking to bounce back in its weekend closer, Wake Forest brought in Syracuse during this past Sunday afternoon. The Deacs used momentum after capturing a third-set thriller to finish off the Orange in a 3-1 victory (25-23, 23-25, 28-26, 25-13).
Paige Crawford led all individuals in kills with 17, tying her best mark in an Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) match this year. It also marked the fifth time she has totaled 15 or more kills. On the serving end, the junior tied her career high in service aces (4). She also displayed a two-way presence with seven digs.
Dior Charles added to her ongoing stretch of strong hitting performances, going 11-of-18 with one error (.556). Defensively, the Los Angeles native totaled six blocks.
Becca Bellows notched her third season double-double – 30 assists and 10 digs. The freshman also handed out three aces. Fellow setter Rian Baker contributed 17 assists.
Tina Grkovic finished with eight total blocks to pace all players – tying her best total in an ACC showing. Additionally, she went 7-of-12 on her attacks, suffering only one error (.500).
Emma Farrell recorded a match-best 22 digs, including a pair of aces. Sahara Maruska chipped in seven kills and 10 digs.
Dior Lately…
Sophomore middle blocker Dior Charles has seen increased production on the hitting end recently, having tallied 10 or more kills apiece in three of her last four showings. Additionally, her defensive presence has remained consistent, as five or more total blocks have occurred in three of the last four matches. Charles reached double-digit kills for the first time in her young career two weeks ago at Clemson.
Dior Charles Recent Standout Performances
Three Wake Forest individuals continue to near personal milestones:
Still Standing Strong
Since the start of conference play, Wake Forest has maintained a core of four to represent in ACC top-10 statistical categories. Paige Crawford enjoyed a strong day of serving during the team's most recent outing versus Syracuse, jumping ahead three spots in service aces for all league individuals.
In conference play only, the Deacons are fifth among league schools in digs (14.81/set) while Emma Farrell is third within that individual area (4.35/set).
Series History
Versus Florida State
Series: Florida State leads, 39-7
Last Time: Sept. 24, 2023
Result: L, 0-3
Versus Miami
Series: Miami leads, 25-7
Last Time: Sept. 22, 2023
Result: W, 3-1
Scouting the Opposition
Holding a 16-6 overall record, the nationally-ranked Seminoles have won eight conference matches thus far. At home, Florida State is 8-2. The team ranks third in the ACC in hitting percentage (.279), led by Khori Louis' league-leading clip of .419.
Miami (16-7, 7-5) is set to host NC State on Friday (Nov. 8) at 7 p.m. ET before matching up with Wake Forest on Sunday. The Hurricanes knocked off No. 5 Stanford this past week (Nov. 1) in a five-set victory. Grace Lopez rests seventh in the conference in both kills (3.56/set) and points (4.21/set).
Up Next
Wake Forest has a week of Big Four action next week, facing the NC State Wolfpack twice in a span of four days. The two sides will first match up in Raleigh on Wednesday (Nov. 13) before meeting again on the Deacs' home floor during Saturday evening (Nov. 16).
Follow the Deacs
Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | GoDeacs.com
Fans can view the Deacons-Seminoles matchup on ACC Network Extra during Friday night. Sunday's contest at Miami will air on ACC Network – a second such appearance for Wake Forest this season.
The Deacs most recently opened the month of November at home, hosting Boston College (Nov. 1) and Syracuse (Nov. 3). Wake Forest earned a four-set victory over the Orange for its sixth home win of the fall.
The Matches
Friday, Nov. 8
Wake Forest at No. 24 Florida State – 6:30 p.m. ET
Sunday, Nov. 10
Wake Forest at Miami – 12 p.m. ET
Last Time Out
Friday, Nov. 1 – Boston College 3, Wake Forest 0
Making a return to Varsity Arena for the first time in over two weeks, Wake Forest volleyball faced Boston College last Friday evening. The Deacons ultimately fell to the Eagles in three sets (15-25, 15-25, 21-25).
Sahara Maruska led all individuals in kills, finishing with nine. The Houston native also totaled her best hitting percentage (with 15 or more attacks) in a single match this year, going 9-of-15 with only one error for a .533 clip.
Paige Crawford and Dior Charles added six kills apiece. Rian Baker contributed 12 assists and seven digs while Emma Farrell chipped in seven digs of her own.
Sunday, Nov. 3 – Wake Forest 3, Syracuse 1
Looking to bounce back in its weekend closer, Wake Forest brought in Syracuse during this past Sunday afternoon. The Deacs used momentum after capturing a third-set thriller to finish off the Orange in a 3-1 victory (25-23, 23-25, 28-26, 25-13).
Paige Crawford led all individuals in kills with 17, tying her best mark in an Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) match this year. It also marked the fifth time she has totaled 15 or more kills. On the serving end, the junior tied her career high in service aces (4). She also displayed a two-way presence with seven digs.
Dior Charles added to her ongoing stretch of strong hitting performances, going 11-of-18 with one error (.556). Defensively, the Los Angeles native totaled six blocks.
Becca Bellows notched her third season double-double – 30 assists and 10 digs. The freshman also handed out three aces. Fellow setter Rian Baker contributed 17 assists.
Tina Grkovic finished with eight total blocks to pace all players – tying her best total in an ACC showing. Additionally, she went 7-of-12 on her attacks, suffering only one error (.500).
Emma Farrell recorded a match-best 22 digs, including a pair of aces. Sahara Maruska chipped in seven kills and 10 digs.
Dior Lately…
Sophomore middle blocker Dior Charles has seen increased production on the hitting end recently, having tallied 10 or more kills apiece in three of her last four showings. Additionally, her defensive presence has remained consistent, as five or more total blocks have occurred in three of the last four matches. Charles reached double-digit kills for the first time in her young career two weeks ago at Clemson.
Dior Charles Recent Standout Performances
- Versus Syracuse (11/3/24): 11 kills, .556 hitting percentage and six blocks in four sets played
- At No. 17 Georgia Tech (10/27/24): 12 kills (career high) and five blocks in four sets played
- At Clemson (10/25/24): 10 kills and five blocks in four sets played
Three Wake Forest individuals continue to near personal milestones:
- Sahara Maruska – needs 21 more digs to reach 1,000 for her career.
- Paige Crawford – needs 63 more kills to reach 1,000 for her career.
- Rian Baker – needs 68 more assists to reach 2,000 for her career.
Still Standing Strong
Since the start of conference play, Wake Forest has maintained a core of four to represent in ACC top-10 statistical categories. Paige Crawford enjoyed a strong day of serving during the team's most recent outing versus Syracuse, jumping ahead three spots in service aces for all league individuals.
- Emma Farrell – 6th in digs (3.94/set)
- Dior Charles – 6th in blocks (1.26/set)
- Tina Grkovic – 7th in blocks (1.25/set)
- Paige Crawford – 7th in service aces (35 total)
In conference play only, the Deacons are fifth among league schools in digs (14.81/set) while Emma Farrell is third within that individual area (4.35/set).
Series History
Versus Florida State
Series: Florida State leads, 39-7
Last Time: Sept. 24, 2023
Result: L, 0-3
Versus Miami
Series: Miami leads, 25-7
Last Time: Sept. 22, 2023
Result: W, 3-1
Scouting the Opposition
Holding a 16-6 overall record, the nationally-ranked Seminoles have won eight conference matches thus far. At home, Florida State is 8-2. The team ranks third in the ACC in hitting percentage (.279), led by Khori Louis' league-leading clip of .419.
Miami (16-7, 7-5) is set to host NC State on Friday (Nov. 8) at 7 p.m. ET before matching up with Wake Forest on Sunday. The Hurricanes knocked off No. 5 Stanford this past week (Nov. 1) in a five-set victory. Grace Lopez rests seventh in the conference in both kills (3.56/set) and points (4.21/set).
Up Next
Wake Forest has a week of Big Four action next week, facing the NC State Wolfpack twice in a span of four days. The two sides will first match up in Raleigh on Wednesday (Nov. 13) before meeting again on the Deacs' home floor during Saturday evening (Nov. 16).
Follow the Deacs
Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | GoDeacs.com
Players Mentioned
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