North Carolina State University Athletics
Volleyball Season Review
12/8/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Dec. 8, 2010
RALEIGH, N.C. -
NC State volleyball closed out the 2010 season in November after a largely successful run under first-year head coach Bryan Bunn. The Wolfpack finished with the largest win total both overall and in ACC play since 1999. The squad also jumped 150 spots in the NCAA volleyball RPI, the largest move by a first-year coach and second-best of any Division I team in 2010.
In addition, the squad’s three-game sweep of Miami on Oct. 3, gave the program its first win over the Hurricanes in 11 meetings. Similarly, the Nov. 19, 3-1 victory over Georgia Tech was the first for NC State volleyball since 1999, which snapped a 20-match losing streak against the Yellow Jackets.
Under Bunn’s leadership, the Wolfpack vastly improved in many statistical categories in 2010.
Offensively, junior Luciana Shafer paced the Pack, scoring 299 kills in the season, good for an average of 2.72 per set. Margaret Salata was second for NC State’s offense, earning 266 kills in 2010 and pacing the Wolfpack in hitting percentage at .333. Overall, the Pack offense smashed 1410 kills over the course of the season, outhitting opponents, which scored 1401. This marks the first time since the 1999 season NC State has scored more kills than its opponents.
Megan Cyr spearheaded the offensive attack in 2010, dishing out 1133 assists, the highest single-season total at NC State since 2000.
The Pack made great strides on defense as well, led by Kelly Wood’s 410 digs in the 2010 season. Four other NC State players compiled triple-digit digs: Shafer (309), Cyr (254), Alex Smith (239) and Alexa Micek (156), for a team total of 1689, which is the highest team total since 1999.
Salata scored the most blocks for the Wolfpack with 104 total, good for an average of 1.09 per set. She also led the team in solo blocks (19) and block assists (85), while Cyr was next with 54 total. Overall, NC State earned a total of 53 solo blocks.
NC State volleyball said goodbye to three seniors--Smith, Taylor Pritchard and Jana Angel at the close of the 2010 season. The three will be missed on the court, but their spots will be filled by talented newcomers, a group of four signees sure to make an immediate impact for the Pack.
The Wolfpack hopes to continue to improve in the 2011 season, building upon wins and performance under Bunn.
