North Carolina State University Athletics
NC State
North Carolina
Wolfpack Falls In Five To Tar Heels
10/4/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Oct. 4, 2005
RALEIGH, N.C. - NC State came out swinging Tuesday night against ACC rival North Carolina, splitting the first four games with the Tar Heels before succumbing 3-2 in the first match played on the Wolfpack's new volleyball court, located in the north end of historic Reynolds Coliseum. Fueled by a raucous crowd of 878, NC State (6-7, 0-5 ACC) fought its way through nine lead changes and 19 tied scores in the second game to even the match 1-1 at the break by scores of 22-30, 35-33. After North Carolina (9-6, 4-1) took game three 30-18, the Wolfpack stormed back to win the fourth game 30-27 to send the match to a fifth and final game, which the Tar Heels won 15-6.
"I told our players that I am proud of them and that they gave a great performance," said NC State head coach Mary Bryne. "It was a great match and even though the end result didn't go as planned, we can use that energy and keep it going. I am pleased with the heart in which we played and it was a pleasure to coach them tonight. We need to feel good about how we played and carry that into our next match Friday."
Senior middle blocker Stefani Eddins, who leads the ACC in both attack percentage and blocks per game, led the Wolfpack with 18 kills, a .405 attack percentage and had four blocks, despite missing most of game four with a sore shin. Senior outside hitter Casey Wyatt, who has been hot the last three games for the Pack, got the starting call and responded with 12 kills, four digs and three blocks, despite sitting out the last two games. Freshman outside hitter Aiwane Iboaya added 11 kills with a .310 attack percentage and two blocks, while senior middle blocker Adeola Kosoko came up with seven digs and eight blocks, including three solo stuffs, despite missing all but one play of the third game with leg cramps.
Junior setter Melissa Rabe, who leads the ACC in service aces, provided 41 assists to go with six digs, three blocks, a pair of kills and one ace. Sophomore libero Andrea Bentley came up with a career high 25 digs, while freshman defensive specialist Kelley Blakewood came off the bench to deliver 14 digs.
NC State made full of use of its allotted substitutions playing nearly every healthy body on its roster and varied its lineup from starting four seniors, to deploying a lineup consisting of Rabe, four freshmen and a sophomore for much of game four. The Wolfpack out blocked the Tar Heels 25-19, the 11th time (of 13) this season NC State has finished with more blocks than its opponent, but North Carolina's margin of 25 more kills ultimately doomed NC State.
The Wolfpack returns to action this weekend when it hosts Miami on Friday, Oct. 7, 7:00 p.m. and Florida State on Saturday, Oct. 8 at 5:00 p.m. in Reynolds Coliseum.
