North Carolina State University Athletics
NC State
Long Island
Wolfpack Volleyball Escapes Blackbirds, 3-2
9/17/2004 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Sept. 17, 2004
Junior middle blocker Adeola Kosoko finished with a new career-high 20 kills off a .486 attack percentage as the NC State volleyball team defeated Long Island, 3-2 in the opening match of the Microtel Inn and Suites Chanticleer Classic Tournament hosted by Coastal Carolina. With the win, NC State improves to 9-1 on the season and extends its winning streak to seven matches. The loss drops the Blackbirds to 6-3 overall.
Long Island started the match strong, building an early lead that would later see them to a 30-18 victory over the Pack. But NC State would regain its composure by the second contest and after a 10-10 tie, went on a 20-10 run to even the match. Game three went down to the wire as each team exchanged points toward the end, but the Wolfpack scored three-straight points to take a 30-28 victory.
The fourth game of the match was again a see-saw battle between the two foes. Down 21-17, the Pack rallied, scoring four-straight to even the contest at 21-21. But LIU would come right back, tallying nine of the next 13 points in its favor to force a fifth game, 30-25. NC State, however, jumped out to an early lead in the final game and took the match with a 16-14 victory.
In addition to the play of Kosoko, junior middle blocker Stefani Eddins and senior outside hitter Melanie Rowe also finished with solid efforts for the Wolfpack, tallying 14 and 11 kills respectively. Meanwhile, freshman setter Lauren Markowski set also set a new career-high against LIU, with 54 assists. Overall, the Wolfpack featured a .287 to .173 advantage in team hitting percentage, while also stepping up defensively with a 13-4 advantage in total blocks.
For Long Island, senior middle blocker Cristina Pintilie finished with 22 kills off a .347 hitting percentage, while outside hitters Dana Demayo and Lizelle Jackson each added 17 kills. Demayo and Jackson also combined for 32 digs defensively for the Blackbirds.
The Wolfpack will continue play in the Microtel Inn and Suites Chanticleer Classic Tournament Saturday with two matches. NC State will first face host Coastal Carolina at 11:30 a.m., and then Tennessee-Chattanooga at 4:30 p.m.
