Wednesday, October 8
Winston-Salem, N.C.
7 P.M.
Wake Forest University
vs
NC State
Photo by: Jacob Sterling
Demon Deacons Set for Wednesday and Saturday Matchups Versus NC State
10/7/2025 11:35:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Wake Forest will face the Wolfpack twice during week seven of the fall season.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Wake Forest volleyball will split time at home and on the road this week while playing NC State twice, beginning with a home tilt inside Varsity Arena on Wednesday (Oct. 8). The match is set for a 7 p.m. start time and will air on the ACC Network.
On Saturday (Oct. 11), the Demon Deacons and Wolfpack will face off in Raleigh at 2 p.m., with the contest streaming on ACC Network Extra.
This past weekend, Wake Forest held its first ACC home weekend with matchups versus Florida State and then-No. 22 Miami.
The Matches
Wednesday, Oct. 8
Wake Forest vs. NC State – 7 p.m. ET
Saturday, Oct. 11
Wake Forest at NC State – 2 p.m. ET
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.
Wake Forest Athletics is always open to learning about new ideas and ways we can improve. Please report accessibility challenges, identify content you find inaccessible, or give us general feedback at pantagw@wfu.edu.
Fan Information
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 third level of Reynolds Gymnasium (21 Wingate Rd, Winston-Salem, N.C. 27109).
For a second straight year, 28 padded floor seats will be present inside Varsity Arena for spectator viewing along the sidelines opposite the team benches. Those interested in more information can call the Wake Forest Athletics Ticket Office at (336) 758-3322 ext. 2, open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Wake Forest Athletics is committed to providing the Best Fan Experience in North Carolina within a safe and fan-friendly environment. Wednesday's match will include a giveaway of white rope hats for early arriving students, set to cheer on the Deacs in the Big Four match.
Last Time Out
Friday, Oct. 3
Florida State 3, Wake Forest 2
Opening its October slate, Wake Forest returned to Varsity Arena on Friday night for its conference home opener, hosting the Florida State Seminoles. The Demon Deacons forced a five-set outing before falling just short in a 3-2 defeat to the visitors.
As a team, the Deacs tallied 14 blocks – 10 of which went to Sanaa Williams. It was a new career high for the Nashville native, who also chipped in six kills.
Ryleigh Whitekettle's 13 kills finished as a team high, while Paige Crawford racked up 12. Crawford also tied her career-best mark in blocks (3) and had 10 digs for her second season double-double.
Rian Baker notched her third double-double of the year – 23 assists and 12 digs. Becca Bellows contributed 26 assists – tied for the match lead – seven digs and three service aces.
Kelis Hawkins tied her season high in kills with nine, adding four blocks to her line. Patrycja Lagida had nine kills of her own. Sadie Poeck posted seven kills and five blocks, tying a season-best total in the latter.
Emma Farrell led the Deacs with 15 digs. The standout libero has now recorded 15-plus digs in six of her last seven matches.
Sunday, Oct. 5
No. 22 Miami 3, Wake Forest 0
Wrapping its first home weekend within ACCplay on Sunday afternoon, Wake Forest faced then-No. 22 Miami inside Varsity Arena. The Deacs created multiple lead changes and traded rallies throughout the final two sets before falling to the Hurricanes in a 3-0 finish.
Emma Farrell turned heads with her exceptional defense, finishing with a match-high 20 digs. It was the fifth time this year in which the libero tallied 20 or more digs. Farrell also had four assists on nine attempts for a .444 percentage.
Paige Crawford had an efficient hitting day, totaling 12 kills on a .357 clip. Defensively, she added five digs. Patrycja Lagida and Ryleigh Whitekettle contributed eight and seven kills, respectively.
Sanaa Williams had her best performance in serving, notching a career-high three service aces.
Setters Rian Baker and Becca Bellows racked up 14 assists apiece. Kelis Hawkins posted four blocks.
The match was Wake Forest's second versus a nationally-ranked opponent this fall.
Ryleigh on the Right Side
Newcomer Ryleigh Whitekettle continues to impress for the Deacs on both offense and defense, bringing experience and skill to the floor. Through 15 matches, the right-side hitter is now third on the roster in kills with 125. She has led the team in kills three times – the second most behind senior Paige Crawford's seven. Whitekettle is also third in blocks (40.0), having strung four performances of five or more.
Ryleigh Whitekettle Recent Standout Performances
Early October Numbers
In conference play only thus far, a few Deacs have placed within the top 10 among ACC leaders:
Individuals
Series History
Versus NC State
Series: NC State leads, 34-33
Last Time: Nov. 16, 2024
Result: L, 2-3
Scouting the Opposition
NC State is 8-6 overall on the year with a 1-3 mark in conference play. The Wolfpack most recently defeated Florida State in a five-set home victory (Oct. 5). The team has primarily been noted for its defensive presence, currently fifth in the ACC in digs as a unit (14.63/set). On the serving end, senior Courtney Bryant ranks third as a league individual in both total service aces (26) and aces per set (0.50/set). First-year Talia Francom is another defensive standout at the middle blocker position, standing eighth in the conference in blocks (1.36/set). Head coach Megan Wargo-Kearney is in her first season leading the Wolfpack.
Follow the Deacs
Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | GoDeacs.com
On Saturday (Oct. 11), the Demon Deacons and Wolfpack will face off in Raleigh at 2 p.m., with the contest streaming on ACC Network Extra.
This past weekend, Wake Forest held its first ACC home weekend with matchups versus Florida State and then-No. 22 Miami.
The Matches
Wednesday, Oct. 8
Wake Forest vs. NC State – 7 p.m. ET
Saturday, Oct. 11
Wake Forest at NC State – 2 p.m. ET
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.
Wake Forest Athletics is always open to learning about new ideas and ways we can improve. Please report accessibility challenges, identify content you find inaccessible, or give us general feedback at pantagw@wfu.edu.
Fan Information
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 third level of Reynolds Gymnasium (21 Wingate Rd, Winston-Salem, N.C. 27109).
For a second straight year, 28 padded floor seats will be present inside Varsity Arena for spectator viewing along the sidelines opposite the team benches. Those interested in more information can call the Wake Forest Athletics Ticket Office at (336) 758-3322 ext. 2, open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Wake Forest Athletics is committed to providing the Best Fan Experience in North Carolina within a safe and fan-friendly environment. Wednesday's match will include a giveaway of white rope hats for early arriving students, set to cheer on the Deacs in the Big Four match.
Last Time Out
Friday, Oct. 3
Florida State 3, Wake Forest 2
Opening its October slate, Wake Forest returned to Varsity Arena on Friday night for its conference home opener, hosting the Florida State Seminoles. The Demon Deacons forced a five-set outing before falling just short in a 3-2 defeat to the visitors.
As a team, the Deacs tallied 14 blocks – 10 of which went to Sanaa Williams. It was a new career high for the Nashville native, who also chipped in six kills.
Ryleigh Whitekettle's 13 kills finished as a team high, while Paige Crawford racked up 12. Crawford also tied her career-best mark in blocks (3) and had 10 digs for her second season double-double.
Rian Baker notched her third double-double of the year – 23 assists and 12 digs. Becca Bellows contributed 26 assists – tied for the match lead – seven digs and three service aces.
Kelis Hawkins tied her season high in kills with nine, adding four blocks to her line. Patrycja Lagida had nine kills of her own. Sadie Poeck posted seven kills and five blocks, tying a season-best total in the latter.
Emma Farrell led the Deacs with 15 digs. The standout libero has now recorded 15-plus digs in six of her last seven matches.
Sunday, Oct. 5
No. 22 Miami 3, Wake Forest 0
Wrapping its first home weekend within ACCplay on Sunday afternoon, Wake Forest faced then-No. 22 Miami inside Varsity Arena. The Deacs created multiple lead changes and traded rallies throughout the final two sets before falling to the Hurricanes in a 3-0 finish.
Emma Farrell turned heads with her exceptional defense, finishing with a match-high 20 digs. It was the fifth time this year in which the libero tallied 20 or more digs. Farrell also had four assists on nine attempts for a .444 percentage.
Paige Crawford had an efficient hitting day, totaling 12 kills on a .357 clip. Defensively, she added five digs. Patrycja Lagida and Ryleigh Whitekettle contributed eight and seven kills, respectively.
Sanaa Williams had her best performance in serving, notching a career-high three service aces.
Setters Rian Baker and Becca Bellows racked up 14 assists apiece. Kelis Hawkins posted four blocks.
The match was Wake Forest's second versus a nationally-ranked opponent this fall.
Ryleigh on the Right Side
Newcomer Ryleigh Whitekettle continues to impress for the Deacs on both offense and defense, bringing experience and skill to the floor. Through 15 matches, the right-side hitter is now third on the roster in kills with 125. She has led the team in kills three times – the second most behind senior Paige Crawford's seven. Whitekettle is also third in blocks (40.0), having strung four performances of five or more.
Ryleigh Whitekettle Recent Standout Performances
- Versus Florida State (10/3/25): 13 kills, .360 hitting percentage and three blocks
- At No. 25 North Carolina (9/26/25): 12 kills and .500 hitting percentage
- At East Carolina (9/16/25): 14 kills and eight blocks (career high)
- Versus Maryland (9/14/25): 11 kills and .333 hitting percentage
- Versus Davidson (9/12/25): 10 kills and .600 hitting percentage
Early October Numbers
In conference play only thus far, a few Deacs have placed within the top 10 among ACC leaders:
Individuals
- Emma Farrell – 4th in Digs (4.08/set)
- Sanaa Williams – 5th in Blocks (1.67/set)
- Becca Bellows – 5th in Service Aces (0.42/set)
Series History
Versus NC State
Series: NC State leads, 34-33
Last Time: Nov. 16, 2024
Result: L, 2-3
Scouting the Opposition
NC State is 8-6 overall on the year with a 1-3 mark in conference play. The Wolfpack most recently defeated Florida State in a five-set home victory (Oct. 5). The team has primarily been noted for its defensive presence, currently fifth in the ACC in digs as a unit (14.63/set). On the serving end, senior Courtney Bryant ranks third as a league individual in both total service aces (26) and aces per set (0.50/set). First-year Talia Francom is another defensive standout at the middle blocker position, standing eighth in the conference in blocks (1.36/set). Head coach Megan Wargo-Kearney is in her first season leading the Wolfpack.
Follow the Deacs
Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | GoDeacs.com
Players Mentioned
S
/ Women's Volleyball
S
/ Women's Volleyball
OH
/ Women's Volleyball
DS
/ Women's Volleyball
MB
/ Women's Volleyball
OH
/ Women's Volleyball
RS
/ Women's Volleyball
RS/OH
/ Women's Volleyball
MB
/ Women's VolleyballMilan Brown and Grace Oliver on ACC Network at ACC Tipoff
Tuesday, October 07
Football Media Availability (10/7/25)
Tuesday, October 07
Megan Gebbia at 2025 ACC Tipoff
Tuesday, October 07
Wake Forest Football vs Virginia Tech | Cinematic Recap
Tuesday, October 07