North Carolina State University Athletics
Volleyball Takes Five-Setter from USC Upstate
9/5/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
SPARTANBURG, S.C. – NC State volleyball battled from behind to collect a hard-fought 3-2 win over host South Carolina Upstate on Saturday, Sept. 5, in its final match at the USC Upstate Tournament. The win moves the Pack to 5-2 on the year, while the Spartans fall to 3-3.
Jana Angel and Alex Smith were both named to the all-tournament team for their efforts throughout the Wolfpack's three matches.
“We battled and grew a ton as a team today,” said head coach Charita J. Stubbs. “I am very proud of this team. We’ve talked about unconditional belief in each other, and they showed that today. They never gave up or got frazzled.”
It took an all-out team effort for NC State to grab the decision, a fact not lost in the box score. Four Wolfpack netters recorded double-digits kill totals, including Kelly Burns (14), Keri DeMar (10), Lisa Kretchman (10) and Kelly Wood (10). Smith hoisted a season-best 46 set assists in addition to 11 digs, six scores and two service aces. Lindsay Benac and Angel supplied solid defense, with Benac recording 18 digs and Angel supplying nine total blocks. Sarah Griggs sprinkled in a team-best three perfect serves.
USC Upstate took the opening set 24-26 in extra play, grabbing back-to-back points to end it after a Burns kill and a Kelsie Queen attack error tied the score at 24-all. The Pack answered back immediately in the second stanza, recording a 25-16 victory on the strength of a match-best .276 hitting percentage with 13 kills.
The Spartans responded in taking the third column 21-25 with its best statistical showing of the afternoon. USC Upstate hit .233 with 15 kills, fighting off 10 tied scores and three lead changes to come out on top. The Wolfpack refused to wilt with its back against the wall however, forcing a fifth set after winning 25-20 in the fourth. After trailing by five, the Pack reeled off seven-straight to take its first lead at 11-8. The Spartans kept things close, eventually trimming the Wolfpack’s lead to one at 19-18, but NC State never let them tie the score.
The Pack’s offense ran like a well-oiled machine in the fifth and final set, resulting in a match win with a 16-14 decision. NC State grabbed the first three scores, committed just three attack errors, and never once trailed on the scoreboard. A Queen kill tied play at 14-all, but a Wood kill and Queen attack error gave the Wolfpack the final two tallies it needed to exit the court with another victory under its belt.
NC State will host the Raleigh Crabtree Valley Marriott Classic next weekend, Sept. 11-12, at Reynolds Coliseum. Dartmouth, DePaul, George Mason, Rutgers and Xavier round out the tournament field.
