Deacs Fight Through Third Straight Five-Set Battle, Fall to Illinois at Cyclone Invite

AMES, Iowa – In its final day at Iowa State's 2024 Cyclone Invite, Wake Forest volleyball (3-3) battled through its third fifth-set battle in as many days, facing Illinois (6-0) during Sunday afternoon (Sept. 8). The Demon Deacons showed admirable effort but fell short in a final 3-2 decision (17-25, 25-22, 21-25, 25-20, 8-15).

Sahara Maruska reached a new season high in kills, leading her squad with 13. Her total tied with Paige Crawford, who also chipped seven digs, three service aces and two blocks for a well-rounded line.

Tina Grkovic finished with nine kills for a new season high. Defensively, the middle blocker impressed with four blocks.

Rian Baker had her third season performance of 20 or more assists – tossing out 20 against the Fighting Illini and adding seven digs. Becca Bellows tallied 17 assists and six digs. Emma Farrell's match-high 18 digs was her second-highest total of the fall, including seven assists for the second straight contest.

Laila Ricks totaled a team-best five blocks, while Olivia Franke added four, along with five kills.

Sunday featured the second-ever matchup between Wake Forest and Illinois, as the series initially started over 20 years ago on Sept. 6, 2003.

How it Happened

Sahara Maruska started the afternoon with an opening kill.
A few errors hurt Illinois during early possessions, as three different Deacons – Olivia Murphy, Laila Ricks and Paige Crawford – all delivered hits to give the team a 6-4 start in set one.
After the Fighting Illini scored five straight times, taking their first lead (8-6), Wake Forest signaled for a timeout.
- Jaime Santer soon entered the contest.
Crawford added to the Deacs' scoring column with two swings from the left side.
Illinois was able to stay in front, pushing in several kills (16-10).
A service ace by Tina Grkovic ignited a sudden 3-0 push for Wake Forest, cutting the deficit to three (17-14).
- Illinois stretched its lead back out, however, taking advantage of a few Deacon errors.
The Fighting Illini completed set one with a victory on two final kills, 25-17.
- Crawford had four kills through the first.
After trailing 4-2 early in set two, Crawford started a 6-0 scoring run for Wake Forest.
- Illinois suffered three consecutive attacking errors during the stretch.
The two teams traded blows, as the Deacs did well in their blocking.
A couple of service aces from Illinois trimmed its deficit to 15-13.
- Murphy bounced a ball off high off the ground on the very next play.
  - Olivia Franke followed with two kills in a row (19-16).
Illinois eventually evened the margin at 20 all, leading to a timeout called.
A free ball went right into the hands of Grkovic for a middle slam, and Crawford lined an ace right afterwards to give Wake Forest the advantage back, 22-21.
Grkovic again answered from the middle, and a late Illinois error put the Deacs at set point.
Another attacking error by the Fighting Illini handed Wake Forest a second-set victory, 25-22.
- Emma Farrell had seven digs at the time of play.
Points went back and forth to begin the third, leading into an 8-7 mark for Illinois.
The Fighting Illini jumped into another run, rallying six straight points, and going up 16-9.
Jaime Santer zipped an ace, and Wake Forest continued to fight back with a 4-1 run.
The Deacs stayed close, using a collective fight and only trailing by two (19-17).
A Wake Forest hitting error allowed Illinois to reach set point, before committing a mistake on its next serve.
Another error by the Deacs gave the Fighting Illini a 25-21 win in the third.
- Farrell racked up seven digs during the period – her second-best total in a single frame this season.
Wake Forest found early success in set four, leading 8-1 before Illinois took a break at its bench.
The Fighting Illini found their way back into it, down only two, but Grkovic and Ricks made plays to again create some distance (17-11).
- Illinois responded with four earned points in a row, as Wake Forest's advantage was cut to a single point (17-16).
Kills were then thrown down by Crawford, Grkovic and Murphy on three of the next four possessions.
Getting blocked at the left side of the net and down 22-19, Illinois took a timeout.
Maruska proved clutch in knocking a pair of kills to finish out set four in Wake Forest's favor, 25-20.
Illinois opened the fifth with a 4-1 start.
- Nevertheless, it was only a matter of moments before Wake Forest tied the score at 4 even.
  - Maruska hammered twice to give her Deacs a boost.
Three straight kills were landed by Illinois, putting the team back in front (8-5) before ends were switched.
After the Fighting Illini scored twice more, Wake Forest regrouped in a timeout.
- Out of the break, Maruska clocked a powerful kill and Franke/Ricks went for a block right after.
The Deacs suffered three final hitting errors, and Illinois was able to capture the match win in set five (15-8).
Wake Forest fell, 3-2.

Standout Stats

For a second time of the weekend, Tina Grkovic notched a new season high in kills, ending the day with nine.
Paige Crawford had one of her top all-around showings of the early season – totaling 13 kills, seven digs, three aces and two blocks.
Emma Farrell finished with 18 digs to lead all individuals.
- The junior libero was steady throughout the weekend to collect 48 digs in three matches.
Wake Forest finished with the upper hand in blocks over the Fighting Illini – 10 to 6.

From Coach Smart
"We definitely fought and battled. Being able to execute has worked well for us in stretches, and we are still trying to work on consistency in different areas. The matches this weekend provided good lessons and we are looking forward to getting back into the gym very soon to continue pushing forward. Next weekend will be another strong three days of opportunities."

Up Next
Wake Forest stays on the road next week for the 2024 University of South Carolina Invitational (Sept. 13-15). The Deacs enter a field of opponents that includes Florida International, Stetson and the host Gamecocks. A first Friday test versus Florida International (Sept. 13) at 10 a.m. ET will get the weekend started.

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Deacs Fight Through Third Straight Five-Set Battle, Fall to Illinois at Cyclone Invite

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Team Stats

Maruska Sahara

Paige Crawford

Grkovic Tina

Olivia Murphy

Players Mentioned

Rian Baker

Becca Bellows

Paige Crawford

Emma Farrell

Olivia Franke

Tina Grkovic

Sahara Maruska

Olivia Murphy

Laila Ricks

Jaime Santer

Wake Forest Athletics

Deacs Fight Through Third Straight Five-Set Battle, Fall to Illinois at Cyclone Invite

Related News

Next Event

Team Stats

Game Leaders

Maruska Sahara

Paige Crawford

Grkovic Tina

Olivia Murphy

Players Mentioned

Rian Baker

Becca Bellows

Paige Crawford

Emma Farrell

Olivia Franke

Tina Grkovic

Sahara Maruska

Olivia Murphy

Laila Ricks

Jaime Santer

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