North Carolina State University Athletics
Wolfpack Block Ranks Ninth in the Nation
9/15/2004 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Sept. 15, 2004
Head volleyball coach Mary Byrne knew she had something special with this year's team but wasn't sure how special until the season started. Now, well into the second week of play, the NC State volleyball team is off to its best start since 1982, with a record of 8-1. While its success is due to the improvement in several areas on the court, perhaps the strongest area for the Wolfpack is that of its defensive play, especially around the net.
In the latest release from the Atlantic Coast Conference that came out Tuesday, NC State was ranked first in blocks per game with an average of 3.32. Furthermore, that average is the ninth-best in the nation according to the NCAA.
"Our blocking is the first line of our defense and we have worked hard to be disciplined in this area," said Byrne. "This makes our backcourt play equally as strong when the blockers do their job. We have to improve certain parts of our defense, but we are improving with each match. Blocking is a skill that really can fire up a team and bring lots of momentum on your side of the court."
And momentum has surely been on the side of the Wolfpack thus far. Against non-conference foe East Carolina Tuesday night at Reynolds Coliseum, NC State racked up 15 total blocks defensively and rallied to take a 3-1 victory over the Pirates. Currently, the team sports a 108-33 advantage in total blocks, and its average of 3.32 blocks per game has now bumped up to 3.40.
Overall, six of Byrne's players have double-digits in total blocks, led by junior middle blocker Stefani Eddins. Eddins, who transferred to NC State from North Carolina A&T, already has 51 total blocks for the Wolfpack. As of Tuesday afternoon, her average of 1.57 blocks per game was tied for 29th in the nation, as well as being first in the ACC. Joining her upfront for the Pack is fellow junior middle blocker Adeola Kosoko, who is second on the team in blocks with 45 and fifth in the conference with an average of 1.39 blocks per game.
"Stefani brings a lot of excitement because she is extremely athletic and very quick," said Byrne. "She is very assertive at the net and takes pride in her blocking. Stefani and Adeola have created a lot of momentum for us this season with their strong play defensively."
But its average of blocks per game isn't the only category that the Wolfpack is ranked in. The team is second in the conference and 22nd in the nation in aces per game (2.46), and is tied for 27th place in winning percentage at .875. With its victory over the Pirates, NC State has already improved that percentage to .889 (8-1). In addition, the Pack's .267 hitting percentage is the second-best in the ACC. Individually, Eddins was also ranked 26th in the nation and third in the conference for her .411 hitting percentage.
