Friday, September 5
Annapolis, Md.
3 P.M.
Wake Forest University
vs
George Mason
Wake Forest Set to Compete in 2025 Navy Invitational
9/4/2025 11:20:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Live Stats (vs. George Mason)Live Stats (vs. Air Force)Watch (vs. Navy)Live Stats (vs. Navy)Match Notes
Week two of the fall season takes the Deacs north to the Naval Academy.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Entering its second weekend of the fall 2025 season, Wake Forest volleyball will again be out of state for participation in the 14th annual Kristen Dickmann Invitational, hosted by Navy (Sept. 5-7).
The Demon Deacons are set to open the event with a Friday afternoon matchup against George Mason at 3 p.m. A day later, Wake Forest will face Air Force at 3 p.m. A final 3 p.m. showing on Sunday versus the host team, Navy, will wrap the Deacs' stay in Annapolis.
The Wake Forest-Navy Sunday match will stream on ESPN+. Additionally, live stats for each of the team's three weekend matches will be available.
The Matches
Friday, Sept. 5
Wake Forest vs. George Mason – 3 p.m. ET
Saturday, Sept. 6
Wake Forest vs. Air Force – 3 p.m. ET
Sunday, Sept. 7
Wake Forest at Navy – 3 p.m. ET
For week one of the fall campaign, Wake Forest ranked second in both kills (14.6/set) and assists (13.7/set) among all Atlantic Coast Conference teams that competed in season-opening matches.
Last Time Out
The Deacs opened fall 2025 with appearances in the University of Cincinnati's Tribute to #10 Invitational, matching up with the host Bearcats and Michigan through two days of competition.
Friday, Aug. 29
Cincinnati 3, Wake Forest 1
Wake Forest stepped into its season opener this past Friday during day one of the Tribute to #10 Invitational. The Deacs battled against Cincinnati throughout the evening before suffering a 3-1 defeat.
Several newcomers stood out in their first appearances, headlined by graduate hitter Ryleigh Whitekettle's team-high 12 kills. Joining her as a reserve was junior Patrycja Lagida with 11 kills. Redshirt junior Olivia Murphy added 10 of her own to round out a trio of Deacs with double-digit kills.
Senior hitter Paige Crawford tied her career high in digs, finishing with 17 for the evening, while her classmate, Emma Farrell, contributed 14.
Sophomore setter Becca Bellows fell just short of a double-double, posting 25 assists and nine digs. Senior setter Rian Baker had 22 assists and seven digs
Freshman middle blocker Kelis Hawkins had an impressive debut on Friday night, making the start to go 9-of-17 in her attacks with only one error (.471). Competing in the final two sets of the match, freshman hitter Sadie Poeck registered three kills on six total attacks (.500).
Saturday, Aug. 30
Michigan 3, Wake Forest 1
Wake Forest made its second and final appearance of Cincinnati's Tribute to #10 Invitational on Saturday afternoon, facing the Michigan Wolverines. The Deacs gave admirable effort in a quick turnaround from their Friday opener but fell short in a 3-1 decision.
For the second time in as many matches, three Deacs finished with double-digit kills. Junior hitter Patrycja Lagida shined in her first start in a Wake Forest uniform, finishing with a team-high 18 kills on an exceptional .500 attacking percentage. She also added eight digs in a strong two-way effort. Senior Paige Crawford and graduate student Ryleigh Whitekettle chipped in 14 and 10 kills, respectively.
Similar to her Friday performance versus Cincinnati, sophomore setter Becca Bellows was again close to notching a double-double, tallying 29 assists and nine digs. Rian Baker produced 17 assists and seven digs.
Emma Farrell paced the Demon Deacons defense with a team-high 14 digs. Freshman middle blocker Kelis Hawkins was a force in net protection, totaling a match-high eight blocks. Whitekettle also impressed with five blocks.
Eyes on Emma
Senior libero Emma Farrell is nearing a milestone mark of 1,500 digs for her career, now in her fourth season with the Deacs. The Norcross, Ga., native has maintained stellar play as one of the conference's best defenders since her first year, when she was named the 2022 ACC Freshman of the Year after leading the ACC in digs-per-set average (4.41). In each of the last three seasons, Farrell has performed as a top-10 player in digs among all league individuals. She has already cemented her spot as one of the top liberos in program history, ranking fourth all-time in career digs (1,447) up to date. Additionally, for Wake Forest individuals who have or had competed in the current 25-point rally scoring era, Farrell ranks second all-time. Two seasons ago, she became the first-ever Demon Deacon to earn ACC Defensive Player of the Week honors (Aug. 28, 2023 and Oct. 9, 2023).
Non-Con Notes
Since the start of the 2019 campaign, the program has totaled a 44-13 record versus non-conference opponents. Wake Forest has won at least eight non-conference, regular-season matches in each of the last three seasons. Additionally, the Deacs have gone 15-2 at home against such foes during that span. Non-conference play did not take place during the spring 2020 season.
Series History
Versus George Mason
Series: Wake Forest leads, 2-0
Last Time: Sept. 16, 2005
Result: W, 3-0
Versus Air Force
Series: Air Force leads, 1-0
Last Time: Aug. 25, 2018
Result: L, 1-3
Versus Navy
Series: Tied at 1-1
Last Time: Sept. 1, 2024
Result: W, 3-0
Scouting the Opposition
George Mason is 2-1 overall following a weekend of competition at its hosted 2025 D.C. Challenge. The Patriots have 13 returners on the roster. Freshman outside hitter Kiera Hamilton leads the team in kills thus far while junior libero Autumn Martinez-Robinson paces the defense as a 2024 standout. Head coach Megan Shifflett Bachmann is in her fourth season leading the program.
Air Force is off to an undefeated start at 3-0 after defeating Jacksonville State, Portland State and Seattle in the 11th annual Amy Svoboda Memorial Classic. Five newcomers are part of the Falcons' roster. Senior hitter Ashley Bible is back and already paces the team in both kills and service aces. Head coach Macey Donathan is back for a second season on the sidelines.
Entering the weekend, Navy holds a 2-1 overall record. The Mids opened their season at the 2025 Utah Valley Invitational, picking up wins over Montana and the host Wolverines. Six starters from the 2024 season are back on the roster. Navy finished seventh in the nine-team 2025 Patriot League Preseason Poll. Head coach Paco Labrador is in his eighth season and recorded his 100th career victory with Navy this past Saturday (Aug. 30).
Follow the Deacs
Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | GoDeacs.com
The Demon Deacons are set to open the event with a Friday afternoon matchup against George Mason at 3 p.m. A day later, Wake Forest will face Air Force at 3 p.m. A final 3 p.m. showing on Sunday versus the host team, Navy, will wrap the Deacs' stay in Annapolis.
The Wake Forest-Navy Sunday match will stream on ESPN+. Additionally, live stats for each of the team's three weekend matches will be available.
The Matches
Friday, Sept. 5
Wake Forest vs. George Mason – 3 p.m. ET
Saturday, Sept. 6
Wake Forest vs. Air Force – 3 p.m. ET
Sunday, Sept. 7
Wake Forest at Navy – 3 p.m. ET
For week one of the fall campaign, Wake Forest ranked second in both kills (14.6/set) and assists (13.7/set) among all Atlantic Coast Conference teams that competed in season-opening matches.
Last Time Out
The Deacs opened fall 2025 with appearances in the University of Cincinnati's Tribute to #10 Invitational, matching up with the host Bearcats and Michigan through two days of competition.
Friday, Aug. 29
Cincinnati 3, Wake Forest 1
Wake Forest stepped into its season opener this past Friday during day one of the Tribute to #10 Invitational. The Deacs battled against Cincinnati throughout the evening before suffering a 3-1 defeat.
Several newcomers stood out in their first appearances, headlined by graduate hitter Ryleigh Whitekettle's team-high 12 kills. Joining her as a reserve was junior Patrycja Lagida with 11 kills. Redshirt junior Olivia Murphy added 10 of her own to round out a trio of Deacs with double-digit kills.
Senior hitter Paige Crawford tied her career high in digs, finishing with 17 for the evening, while her classmate, Emma Farrell, contributed 14.
Sophomore setter Becca Bellows fell just short of a double-double, posting 25 assists and nine digs. Senior setter Rian Baker had 22 assists and seven digs
Freshman middle blocker Kelis Hawkins had an impressive debut on Friday night, making the start to go 9-of-17 in her attacks with only one error (.471). Competing in the final two sets of the match, freshman hitter Sadie Poeck registered three kills on six total attacks (.500).
Saturday, Aug. 30
Michigan 3, Wake Forest 1
Wake Forest made its second and final appearance of Cincinnati's Tribute to #10 Invitational on Saturday afternoon, facing the Michigan Wolverines. The Deacs gave admirable effort in a quick turnaround from their Friday opener but fell short in a 3-1 decision.
For the second time in as many matches, three Deacs finished with double-digit kills. Junior hitter Patrycja Lagida shined in her first start in a Wake Forest uniform, finishing with a team-high 18 kills on an exceptional .500 attacking percentage. She also added eight digs in a strong two-way effort. Senior Paige Crawford and graduate student Ryleigh Whitekettle chipped in 14 and 10 kills, respectively.
Similar to her Friday performance versus Cincinnati, sophomore setter Becca Bellows was again close to notching a double-double, tallying 29 assists and nine digs. Rian Baker produced 17 assists and seven digs.
Emma Farrell paced the Demon Deacons defense with a team-high 14 digs. Freshman middle blocker Kelis Hawkins was a force in net protection, totaling a match-high eight blocks. Whitekettle also impressed with five blocks.
Eyes on Emma
Senior libero Emma Farrell is nearing a milestone mark of 1,500 digs for her career, now in her fourth season with the Deacs. The Norcross, Ga., native has maintained stellar play as one of the conference's best defenders since her first year, when she was named the 2022 ACC Freshman of the Year after leading the ACC in digs-per-set average (4.41). In each of the last three seasons, Farrell has performed as a top-10 player in digs among all league individuals. She has already cemented her spot as one of the top liberos in program history, ranking fourth all-time in career digs (1,447) up to date. Additionally, for Wake Forest individuals who have or had competed in the current 25-point rally scoring era, Farrell ranks second all-time. Two seasons ago, she became the first-ever Demon Deacon to earn ACC Defensive Player of the Week honors (Aug. 28, 2023 and Oct. 9, 2023).
Non-Con Notes
Since the start of the 2019 campaign, the program has totaled a 44-13 record versus non-conference opponents. Wake Forest has won at least eight non-conference, regular-season matches in each of the last three seasons. Additionally, the Deacs have gone 15-2 at home against such foes during that span. Non-conference play did not take place during the spring 2020 season.
| Season | Non-Conference Record | Win Percentage |
| 2024 | 8-3 | .727 |
| 2023 | 9-2 | .818 |
| 2022 | 8-3 | .727 |
| 2021 | 9-2 | .818 |
| 2019 | 10-1 | .909 |
| Overall | 44-11 | .800 |
Versus George Mason
Series: Wake Forest leads, 2-0
Last Time: Sept. 16, 2005
Result: W, 3-0
Versus Air Force
Series: Air Force leads, 1-0
Last Time: Aug. 25, 2018
Result: L, 1-3
Versus Navy
Series: Tied at 1-1
Last Time: Sept. 1, 2024
Result: W, 3-0
Scouting the Opposition
George Mason is 2-1 overall following a weekend of competition at its hosted 2025 D.C. Challenge. The Patriots have 13 returners on the roster. Freshman outside hitter Kiera Hamilton leads the team in kills thus far while junior libero Autumn Martinez-Robinson paces the defense as a 2024 standout. Head coach Megan Shifflett Bachmann is in her fourth season leading the program.
Air Force is off to an undefeated start at 3-0 after defeating Jacksonville State, Portland State and Seattle in the 11th annual Amy Svoboda Memorial Classic. Five newcomers are part of the Falcons' roster. Senior hitter Ashley Bible is back and already paces the team in both kills and service aces. Head coach Macey Donathan is back for a second season on the sidelines.
Entering the weekend, Navy holds a 2-1 overall record. The Mids opened their season at the 2025 Utah Valley Invitational, picking up wins over Montana and the host Wolverines. Six starters from the 2024 season are back on the roster. Navy finished seventh in the nine-team 2025 Patriot League Preseason Poll. Head coach Paco Labrador is in his eighth season and recorded his 100th career victory with Navy this past Saturday (Aug. 30).
Follow the Deacs
Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | GoDeacs.com
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