Volleyball Hosts Virginia in ACC Tilt Saturday Evening

Saturday, October 10

Raleigh, N.C. (Broughton HS Gym)

7:30 PM

NC State

Virginia

Photo by: Greg Mintel

Volleyball Hosts Virginia in ACC Tilt Saturday Evening

10/9/2015 1:38:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Wolfpack has won five of the last six meetings with Cavaliers

By: Justin Wilson, Assistant Athletics Communications Director

RALEIGH, N.C. – The NC State women's volleyball team continues a six-match home stand Saturday evening when the Virginia Cavaliers come to Raleigh. First serve is slated for 7:30 p.m. inside Holliday Gym at Broughton High School.

The Wolfpack owns a 12-5 record this season to go along with a 1-4 mark in Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) play, while the Cavaliers are 11-4 and 3-1 in league contests.

Last Time Out
In its last outing, NC State battled but came up short at the end of each set resulting in a 3-0 loss against UNC-Chapel Hill. It marked the first time that the Wolfpack has been swept this season.

NC State-Virginia Series History
The Wolfpack has won five of the last six matches against the Cavaliers. The teams only met once last season with Virginia rallying for a 3-2 comeback win in Charlottesville.

Sixth-year head coach Bryan Bunn has a 5-3 record against Virginia during his tenure. UVA leads, 37-25, in the all-time series.

New Look at Setter
Freshman Becky Porter made her second consecutive start at the setter position for the Wolfpack, in place of the injured Maggie Speaks. In her two starts, the Charlotte, N.C., native is averaging 39 assists per contest and 9.75 assists per set.

Serving Up ACES
NC State continues to lead the ACC and remain ranked among the NCAA in service aces. The Wolfpack has tallied 1.76 aces per set, which ranks 13^th in the nation and leads the conference.

Senior Morgan Cormier is second in the league with 0.50 aces per set to occupy 14^th in the NCAA.

Return to Sender
The Wolfpack ranks second in the ACC and 13^th in the NCAA this season with 170.5 blocks. Sophomore middle blocker Kaitlyn Kearney is second in the conference with 84 blocks and tied for 16^th in the NCAA.

Freshman Blayke Hranicka is third in the ACC with 78 blocks, which is 31^st in the NCAA.

Scouting Virginia
The Virginia Cavaliers have enjoyed a strong start to their season and ACC play, as the squad is 11-4 overall and 3-1 in conference action. The Cavs defeated Virginia Tech at home, 3-1, in their most recent outing of the year.

Natalie Bausback leads a balanced Virginia offense with 2.87 kills per set. Including Bausback, the Cavaliers have four players averaging better than 2.40 kills per set. Preseason All-ACC selection Lauren Fuller is the team's setter and has handed out 10.57 assists per set. Defensively, Lexi Riccolo paces the team with 3.74 digs per set.

As a team, Virginia has a hitting percentage of .258 and has held opponents to a .216 clip.

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