Wolfpack Falls to Fifth-Ranked Stanford in Four Sets

PALO ALTO, Calif. – The NC State volleyball team fell to fifth-ranked Stanford in four sets Friday evening at Maples Pavilion.

The Wolfpack moves to 7-4 on the season and 2-1 in conference play.

Breaking Down the Match

The opening frame started off as a back-and-forth battle between the two programs. It was the Wolfpack who took the lead after a 4-0 scoring run (12-6) and forced an early timeout from Stanford.
The Pack led by as many as four in the first set, but the Cards managed to tie the frame 14-all. After another back-and-forth battle between the two teams, it was Stanford who would go on to lead the remainder of the set.
With the Cards leading 22-20, head coach Luka Slabe called a timeout. Stanford ended up taking set one, 25-22.
Senior opposite Amanda Rice led the Wolfpack with four kills in the opening frame.
NC State started off the second set with the lead as Stanford made several errors. The Wolfpack led through the media timeout (15-14).
Stanford tied the frame 16-all and took over the lead from there. NC State attempted to regain the lead, but the Cards went on a 5-2 scoring run to end the second set on top, 25-23.
Rice and junior middle blocker Sophie Groom combined for 14 kills through set two to lead the Wolfpack.
After a rocky start in set three, the Wolfpack managed to take over the lead and enter the media timeout leading by three (15-12). The Cards managed to minimize the lead two (19-17), but the Wolfpack continued to dominate.
After Stanford minimized the deficit to two once again (24-22), Slabe used his final timeout of the third set. The Pack took set three, 25-22, after a long rally and Stanford getting called for being in the net.
Rice led the Pack with 11 kills while junior Ava Brizard added 10 after the third frame.
The Wolfpack struggled to start the fourth set and a 4-0 scoring run (7-3) by Stanford forced an early timeout by Slabe. Stanford went on a 5-3 scoring run out of the timeout, forcing Slabe to use his final of the set.
The Pack struggled to score off the block and slow the Cardinals. Stanford went on a 13-1 scoring run to end the fourth set on top, 25-8.
Groom's nine kills on the evening marked a season high for the junior.
The loss marks the first for the Wolfpack in conference play.

Stat Leaders
Kills: Amanda Rice (13)
Digs: Skye Stokes (17)
Assists: Naomi Cabello (32)
Blocks: Sophie Groom (3)
Aces: Courtney Bryant, Sydney Daniels (1)

Up Next
The Pack will head to Berkely for the final match of the California trip. NC State will play Cal on Sunday, Oct. 6 at 1pm PT/4pm ET and the match will be streamed on ACCNX.

Wolfpack Falls to Fifth-Ranked Stanford in Four Sets

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Team Stats

Amanda Rice

Ava Brizard

Sophie Groom

Courtney Bryant

Players Mentioned

Ava Brizard

Courtney Bryant

Naomi Cabello

Sydney Daniels

Sophie Groom

Amanda Rice

Skye Stokes