Wednesday, November 26
Winston-Salem, N.C.
3 P.M.

Wake Forest University

15-15,9-10ACC

3
vs
0

Duke

5-25,2-17ACC

1
2
3
F
Duke
17
22
18
0
Wake Forest
25
25
25
3
Volleyball celebration
Photo by: Bryce Mitchell / Wake Forest Athletics

Wake Forest Secures Season Sweep Over Duke in Regular-Season Home Finale in Front of Record-Setting Crowd

11/26/2025 6:02:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Box ScorePhoto Gallery

The Demon Deacons reached their best ACC win total in 15 years.

By: Keion Robinson

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Stepping into Varsity Arena for one final time for the regular season, Wake Forest volleyball finished its home slate in style. Facing Big Four rival Duke in a second meeting of the fall, the Demon Deacons (15-15, 9-10 ACC) earned a 3-0 sweep over the Blue Devils (5-25, 2-17 ACC).

Wake Forest has now won nine conference matches for the first time since 2010.

The program also set a new record of home attendance during the afternoon, as 945 spectators filled up the gym. The mark surpassed the previous attendance record of 866 last season versus Pitt on Nov. 22, 2024.

Wednesday saw the Demon Deacons officially earn a season sweep over Duke for the first time since the 2012 campaign.

The match featured Wake Forest's third Big Four win of fall 2025.

Junior Patrycja Lagida led all individuals with a match-best 12 kills. Senior Paige Crawford chipped in nine kills with 12 digs – the latter being her best total in an ACC contest this season. 

Senior Rian Baker went for her sixth double-double of the fall – 11 assists and 12 digs. Sophomore Becca Bellows contributed 14 assists.

The Deacs did well in their blocking, led by redshirt junior Sanaa Williams' five that resulted as a match high. Freshman Sadie Poeck finished with four blocks. Senior Emma Farrell collected eight digs and seven assists.

How it Happened
  • Patrycja Lagida delivered Wake's first two kills of the day.
  • Paige Crawford next landed a pair of hits of her own, as rallies were traded early.
  • After Crawford finished off a lengthy rally, the score sat tied at 7 all.
  • Both sides showed exceptional hustle throughout the opening set, with Sanaa Williams adding the column.
    • The redshirt junior made a block right before the first media timeout, upping Wake's lead to 15-11.
  • The Blue Devils committed two errors after play resumed, forcing them to regroup at their bench.
  • Lagida continued her strong attacking start, posting a sixth kill on a floating tap.
  • Sadie Poeck chipped in a kill before Duke went on a 4-0 run.
  • Wake responded with four unanswered points, as Poeck shined in her hits and blocking.
  • A block by Poeck and Kelis Hawkins put the Deacs at set point.
  • Rian Baker finished off the first with a service ace, 25-17.
    • Poeck had four blocks during the frame.
  • Three different Deacs notched a kill to open set two.
  • Duke suffered a few mistakes, with Wake taking advantage.
  • Williams and Whitekettle made a handful of standout plays, helping the Deacs maintain their lead (14-10).
  • Lagida added to the momentum down the stretch, clocking a ball to put Wake up 21-16.
  • Following a middle kill by Williams, the Blue Devils scored twice before committing an error on their next serve.
  • Another Duke service error allowed Wake to reach set point.
  • Four consecutive points by the Blue Devils took over.
  • Crawford rose from the left side to finish out set two with some ferocity, 25-22.
    • The senior had seven digs at the time.
  • Play was even at 6-6 early in set three.
    • Duke was unsuccessful on a challenge before Wake's sixth point.
  • While the Blue Devils struggled with errors, the Deacon hitters stayed active in a one-point game (11-10, Wake).
  • Olivia Murphy checked into the contest and immediately earned a soft kill.
  • By the media break, Wake was holding on to a 15-14 lead.
  • A successful challenge upped the Deacs' advantage to 17-14.
  • Crawford and Hawkins kept the surge going, as Duke signaled for a timeout.
    • Wake was up 19-15.
  • After Williams lined an ace, Baker made a dump kill late.
  • Bellows set up Whitekettle in the middle for match point.
  • A Whitekettle hit closed out set three, 25-18, and won the match for Wake.
  • Wake Forest swept Duke, 3-0.

Standout Stats
  • Rian Baker's six doubles is now a team-best mark, as five have happened against conference foes:
    • Versus Duke (11/26/25): 11 assists and 12 digs
    • At Syracuse (11/14/25): 24 assists and 10 digs
    • Versus California (10/31/25): 16 assists and 13 digs
    • Versus Florida State (10/3/25): 23 assists and 12 digs
    • At North Carolina (9/26/25): 15 assists and 10 digs
    • Versus Davidson (9/12/25): 17 assists and 10 digs
  • Wake Forest held the upper hand over the Blue Devils in nearly every statistical column:
    • Points – 51.0 to 41.0
    • Kills – 39 to 33
    • Service aces – 4 to 3
    • Blocks – 8 to 5
    • Assists – 33 to 32
  • Four Deacs had seven or more digs:

Additional Notes
  • The Deacs finished with an 8-5 home record for the fall 2025 regular season.
  • Wake Forest matched up with Duke for the 79th time in program history on Wednesday.
  • Patrycja Lagida has now led the team in kills seven times this year.
  • Sanaa Williams reached over 100 career digs during the match.

From Coach Hulsmeyer
"So pleased with the performance and this home win," said head coach Jeff Hulsmeyer. "Not only with how our players played, but all the tremendous support from the crowd right before Thanksgiving. We have so much to be thankful for this season, and now we have to go on the road for one more. I can't say enough about the administration, support personnel and people who are around this team. What a great atmosphere and win!"

Up Next
Wake Forest will close out the regular season at Notre Dame this Saturday (Nov. 29). The match will start at 3 p.m. and fans can follow along via live stats.

Follow the Deacs
Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | GoDeacs.com

Related News

Skip Ad
All News
The Deacons’ game against the Louisville Cardinals on Sunday, November 9, 2025 at Reynolds Gymnasium in Winston-Salem, NC / Wake Forest Athletics
Wake Forest Set for Rematch Versus Duke in Regular-Season Home Finale
Tuesday, November 25
Volleyball huddle
Deacs Fall to Cavaliers On the Road
Sunday, November 23
Volleyball vs. Virginia Tech
Wake Forest Extends Match Win Streak to Three, Downs Virginia Tech on the Road
Friday, November 21
Volleyball huddle
Deacs Continue Road Stretch with Contests at Virginia Tech and Virginia
Thursday, November 20
All News
Skip Ad

Next Event

Notre Dame

Nov 29 (Sat)

3 P.M.
Live stats
0Days
0Hours
0Minutes
0Seconds
Full Schedule

Team Stats

DU
WF
Kills
33
39
Errors
21
13
Attempts
121
116
Hitting %
.099
.224
Points
41.0
51.0
Assists
32
33
Aces
3
4
Blocks
5
8

Game Leaders

2

Patrycja Lagida

Kills
12
Aces
0
Blocks
1
13

Paige Crawford

Kills
9
Aces
1
Blocks
0
22

Ryleigh Whitekettle

Kills
6
Aces
0
Blocks
3
23

Sanaa Williams

Kills
3
Aces
1
Blocks
5

Players Mentioned

17

Rian Baker

S
/ Women's Volleyball
18

Becca Bellows

S
/ Women's Volleyball
13

Paige Crawford

OH
/ Women's Volleyball
7

Elena Dragani

S
/ Women's Volleyball
10

Emma Farrell

DS
/ Women's Volleyball
14

Kelis Hawkins

MB
/ Women's Volleyball
2

Patrycja Lagida

OH
/ Women's Volleyball
1

Dhru Lalaji

DS
/ Women's Volleyball
16

Olivia Murphy

OH/RS
/ Women's Volleyball
11

Sadie Poeck

RS
/ Women's Volleyball
22

Ryleigh Whitekettle

RS/OH
/ Women's Volleyball
23

Sanaa Williams

MB
/ Women's Volleyball

Related Videos

Skip Ad
All Videos
Football Media Availability (11/26/25)
Wednesday, November 26
Football Media Availability (11/25/25)
Tuesday, November 25
Wake Forest Head Coach Jake Dickert Press Conference (11/24/25)
Monday, November 24
Wake Forest Football Highlights vs Delaware (Nov. 22, 2025)
Sunday, November 23
All Videos