North Carolina State University Athletics
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NC State Volleyball Falls to North Carolina, 3-0
10/5/2004 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Oct. 5, 2004
Junior middle blocker Stefani Eddins finished with a career-high 12 total blocks against Atlantic Coast Conference rival North Carolina, but it wasn't enough as the Tar Heels got the best of NC State, 3-0 Tuesday night at Reynolds Coliseum. With 12 total blocks against UNC, Eddins tied the most number of total blocks in an ACC match in school history. Former Wolfpack player Laura Kimbrell had 12 total blocks against Wake Forest back in 1997. Eddins's 12 blocks were also good to tie for second for most blocks in a single regular-season match in NC State history.
The loss now drops NC State to 10-8 overall, 0-5 in the ACC, while the Tar Heels improve to 10-7, 5-1 in conference play.
Both teams came out of the gate strong forcing a true battle, but UNC used a 6-0 run in the middle of the first game to take a lead that it wouldn't look back from, going on to win, 30-22. In the second contest, the Pack again gave it their all, staying right with the Tar Heels, but again North Carolina would separate itself. Down 26-19, NC State refused to back down and clawed its way back in thanks in part to a 5-0 run. In the end, however, it was UNC on top once again, this time by the score of 30-27. The Wolfpack took an early lead in the final game of the match, but couldn't overcome the strength of the Tar Heels, as NC State fell in three, 30-15.
In addition to her tying a school record, Eddins, who leads the ACC in blocks per game average (1.54) also surpassed the 100-block mark, and now sports 109 total blocks on the season with 12 more matches left. The last time the Wolfpack had a player who had over 100 total blocks in a single season was back in 2000, when Alison Kreager finished the season with 124. Former NC State standout Diane Ross holds the single-season record, dating back to 1984, with 150 total blocks in a single season.
Offensively, NC State got a boost from senior outside hitter Melanie Rowe, who led the team with 10 kills off a .207 hitting percentage. Junior middle blocker Adeola Kosoko and freshman defensive specialist Andrea Bentley each tallied 10 digs, while freshman middle hitter Ashley Wallace picked up five total blocks for the Pack.
Outside hitters Meg Eckert and Molly Pyles led the Tar Heels with 14 kills each, while middle hitter Katie Wright tacked on another 11 off a .455 hitting percentage. Libero Caroline deRoeck and defensive specialist Taylor Rayfield combined for 23 digs, and setters McKenzie Byrd and Norma Cortez racked up 31 and 15 assists respectively.
The Wolfpack will return to action on Saturday against new ACC member Virginia Tech. Match time is set for 7 p.m. in Reynolds Coliseum.
