North Carolina State University Athletics
Volleyball Travels to Virginia Tech Friday
11/4/2004 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Nov. 4, 2004
RALEIGH, N.C. - Back on October 9th, the NC State volleyball team suffered a heartbreaking 3-2 loss to Atlantic Coast Conference opponent Virginia Tech at Reynolds Coliseum. Heading into the weekend, the Wolfpack now has another chance to upend the Hokies as the two teams will match-up against one another Friday night at 7 p.m. in Cassell Coliseum.
Two big reasons for NC State's (10-17, 0-13 ACC) solid performance against the Hokies in October was the play of senior outside hitter Melanie Rowe and junior middle blocker Stefani Eddins. Rowe finished that night with a new career-high 22 kills, while Eddins, who had just come off a 12-block performance against North Carolina a few days prior, recorded 11 total blocks against Virginia Tech.
Heading into Friday's match, Rowe is second on the team with 286 kills off a .208 hitting percentage. As for Eddins, she recently passed over the 200-kill mark this week, recording 13 against the Tar Heels and giving her 206 on the season. More importantly, however, is her numbers around the net. Eddins quickly made a name for herself with her defensive play this year, but with 148 total blocks to her account, she needs only two more to tie the all-time school record for most blocks in a single season.
In addition to Rowe and Eddins, junior middle blocker Adeola Kosoko has also stepped up for the Wolfpack, and currently features a team-best 287 kills off a .291 hitting percentage. Meanwhile, freshman libero Andrea Bentley will look to come even closer to the 300-dig mark as she goes to add to her current number of 286 digs. Also, setters Lauren Markowski and Melissa Rabe will do their part to see the offense through as they have dished out 887 and 156 assists thus far.
The Hokies (11-13, 5-7) have lost five straight conference matches, and are led by senior outside hitter Annie Spicer and sophomore middle hitter Katie Esbrook. On the season, Spicer is first on the team with 343 kills and Esbrook second with 280, while the two have also combined for 99 total blocks. Meanwhile, Spicer and setter Melissa Markowski (Lauren's sister) have been solid in another defensive category: digs, as they've tallied 287 and 227 respectively. Markowski has also weighed in close to the net, helping to spark Virginia Tech's offensive attack with 1034 assists.
