Volleyball Opens ACC Play On The Road This Weekend

Friday, September 25

Pittsburgh, Pa. (Fitzgerald Field House)

7:00 PM

NC State

Pittsburgh

Photo by: Greg Mintel

Volleyball Opens ACC Play On The Road This Weekend

9/24/2015 11:44:00 AM | Women's Volleyball

Wolfpack travels to Pittsburgh and Virginia Tech

By: Justin Wilson, Assistant Athletics Communications Director

Live Stats (Pittsburgh) | Live Video ($, Pittsburgh) | Live Stats (Virginia Tech)

RALEIGH, N.C. – The NC State women's volleyball team will open Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) play this weekend when it travels to Pittsburgh on Friday and Virginia Tech on Sunday.

The Wolfpack (11-1) will face the Pitt Panthers (10-2) at 7 p.m. Friday inside Fitzgerald Field House and take on the Virginia Tech Hokies (9-3) at 2 p.m. Sunday in Cassell Coliseum.

Last Time Out
In its last match of the season, NC State took down previously unbeaten Tennessee in straight sets, 3-0, to win the DoubleTree Cary Classic. The Wolfpack swept all three of its matches in the tournament, including wins over Campbell and Hampton in addition to the Volunteers.

Wolfpack in ACC Openers
Now in his sixth season as head coach, Bryan Bunn has compiled a 3-2 record in conference openers. Last season the Wolfpack opened ACC play at home with a 3-0 sweep against Syracuse.

Friday's contest will be the first time NC State has opened conference play against Pitt, as the Panthers recently joined the league prior to the 2013 volleyball season.

Going Streaking
Since dropping a hard-fought 3-2 decision at home against Ole Miss, the Wolfpack has regrouped to win its next eight matches and have only lost five sets in that time frame. During the stretch, the Wolfpack is outscoring opponents, 24-5.

Making The Honor Roll
The Wolfpack had at least two players selected to the all-tournament team in each preseason tournament. Sophomore Julia Brown claimed MVP honors at the South Carolina Tournament and junior setter Maggie Speaks captured the accolade following the DoubleTree Cary Classic.

Senior Morgan Cormier, junior Rachel Eppley, sophomore Kaitlyn Kearney and freshman Blayke Hranicka claimed all-tournament honors during the preseason.

Lucking Number Three
In all 12 matches this season, NC State has won the third set. The Pack is outscoring opponents, 300-207, in the frame.

Topping the Charts
NC State currently leads the ACC in opponent hitting percentage (.123) and service aces (81). The Wolfpack's 1.88 aces per set ranks 12th in the NCAA, while its opponent hitting percentage is eighth in the nation.

Individually, Cormier headlines the service aces column with 25 and an average of .60 aces per set that ranks seventh in the NCAA. Kearney has tallied 60 blocks, an average of 1.43 blocks per set to lead the conference and rank 16th in the nation.

Scouting Pittsburgh
The Pittsburgh Panthers enter Friday's matchup with a 10-2 record on the year, following a perfect weekend at the Panther Invitational with wins against Bowling Green, Lehigh and George Washington.

NC State and Pitt have met six times in the history of the programs, with the Panthers owning a 5-1 advantage in the series. As conference opponents, Pittsburgh has a 2-1 lead.

Kadi Kullerkann leads the team offensively with 3.29 kills per set, while preseason All-ACC selection Amanda Orchard has put down 2.19 kps. Two players have split time at the setter position with Jenna Jacobson handing out 6.95 assists per set and Kamalani Akeo passing out 5.14 aps. Defensively, Angela Seman paces the groups with 4.86 digs per set.

As a team, Pitt has an attacking percentage of .257 and has limited opponents to a .152 clip.

Scouting Virginia Tech
Virginia Tech owns a 9-3 record heading into the first weekend of ACC play. The Hokies will host UNC-Chapel Hill on Friday before facing NC State on Sunday. Tech defeated Liberty in its last outing, 3-1.

The Hokies have won the previous three meetings against the Wolfpack.

Amanda McKinzie paces the squad offensively with 3.73 kills per set and preseason All-ACC honoree Lindsey Owens has contributed 3.27 kps. At the setter position, Rhegan Mitchell and Kyra Coundourides have shared the task with the former handing out 7.02 and the latter, 5.33 assists per set. Defensively, Kenedy McGrath has a team-high 3.91 digs per set.

Virginia Tech leads the ACC in team hitting percentage at .276 and is second in opponent hitting percentage at .148, behind only NC State at .123.

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