Press Release courtesy of NC State Atheltics.
Opponent: Virginia
Date: Fri., Oct. 13
Location: Raleigh, N.C.
Site: Reynolds Coliseum
Time: 7 p.m.
Live Stats: SideArm Stats
TV: ACC Network Extra
Opponent: Virginia Tech
Date: Sun., Oct. 15
Location: Raleigh, N.C.
Site: Reynolds Coliseum
Time: 2 p.m.
Live Stats: SideArm Stats
TV: ACC Network Extra
RALEIGH, N.C. – Off to its best start in Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) play since 1988 at 6-0, the NC State volleyball team hopes to build on that mark this weekend when the Virginia Cavaliers and Virginia Tech Hokies head to Raleigh. Friday’s matchup with Virginia is slated for 7 p.m. and Sunday’s tilt against the Hokies is set for 2 p.m. inside Reynolds Coliseum.
With a win in Friday’s match, the 2017 Wolfpack squad would own the best start to ACC play in program history as NC State has never opened conference action 7-0.
Both matches this weekend will be broadcast live on the ACC Network Extra, accessible through Watch ESPN and the Watch ESPN App.
NC State has been red-hot and enters Friday’s match having won 11 of its last 12 matches, including seven consecutive, to own an 11-6 overall record and a perfect 6-0 mark in league play. Virginia and Virginia Tech are both under the direction of first-year head coaches, as the Cavaliers are 4-13 and 0-6 while the Hokies are 7-10 and 1-5.
Tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for youth (17 or younger). Admission is free for children age two or younger.
Match Promotions
Friday
– Disney Night
– Princess Belle will be available for pictures and fan interaction in the BB&T Grand Hall prior to the match.
– Postmatch autographs
Sunday
– Pink Match presented by UNC REX Healthcare
– FREE pink phone wallets while supplies last
– During intermission, there will be a special sitting volleyball demo with athletes from Bridge II Sports and Triangle Volleyball Club.
Last Time Out
In its last outing, NC State earned a 3-0 sweep against the Duke Blue Devils to remain undefeated in ACC action and improve to 6-0. The Wolfpack picked up its first sweep versus the Blue Devils since 2000.
Best Start Since 1988
The Wolfpack has enjoyed a stellar start to conference play, as NC State’s 6-0 mark matches the best for the program since 1988. That year the squad only played six ACC matches and won each of them to own the same record as this year’s Wolfpack team.
Perfect in October
NC State has won all three of its matches in the month of October to own a 3-0 mark and has not dropped a set at a perfect 9-0 with three sweeps. The Wolfpack is outscoring opponents, 234-191, during the span.
Additionally, the Pack owns a .257 attacking percentage in October, while opponents have been held to a .139 clip.
Seven In a Row, 11 of Last 12
The Wolfpack has been firing on all cylinders in its last 12 matches, as the Red and White is 11-1 during the stretch. In particular, NC State has really started to gel in the last seven matches as the Pack has won seven in a row.
#STATEment
NC State has played five in-state opponents this season and is a perfect 5-0 against teams from the state of North Carolina with wins versus UNC-Chapel Hill, Duke, Wake Forest, High Point and UNCW.
Last Sunday’s win against Duke marked just the second time NC State has beaten all of its Big Four rivals in ACC contests in the same season in program history and first since 2012.
Wolfpack Moves Up to No. 34 in NCAA RPI
Following a pair of wins against Wake Forest and Duke last weekend, the NC State volleyball has improved three spots in this week’s NCAA RPI to No. 34. The listing is the highest for the program since Oct. 22, 2012, when the Wolfpack was listed at No. 28 in the ranking.
Don’t Count the Wolfpack Out
After trailing 23-17 in the second set versus Duke, NC State rallied to knot the score at 24 and then went on to win the frame. It was the largest deficit (six points) that the Wolfpack has overcome to win a set this season.
More impressively, NC State fought off five consecutive set-point attempts by the Blue Devils as they led 24-19 but the Wolfpack scored five unanswered points to even the tally at 24. Following a point by Duke, NCSU saved another set point opportunity and responded with back-to-back points to close out the set, 27-25.
Scouting Virginia
Under the leadership of first-year head coach Aaron Smith, the Virginia Cavaliers have put together a 4-13 overall record and are still in search of their first conference win at 0-6. The Cavs dropped a pair of 3-1 decisions at home against Notre Dame and Louisville in their last two matches.
NC State has won six of the last 10 meetings with Virginia, highlighted by a 3-2 victory against the Cavaliers in last year’s lone matchup inside Reynolds Coliseum.
Jelena Novakovic leads the team offensively with 182 kills on the year, averaging 2.98 kills per set. Megan Wilson is the team’s setter and she has dished out 464 assists or 8.44 assists per set. Defensively, libero Kelsey Miller headlines the group with 3.49 digs per set.
Virginia ranks among the top eight in the conference in service aces (1.21) and digs (13.61).
Scouting Virginia Tech
The Virginia Tech Hokies head into the weekend at 7-10 overall and 1-5 in ACC play. Prior to Sunday’s matchup, the Hokies will take on UNC-Chapel Friday night. Virginia Tech dropped a pair of 3-1 decisions at home against Louisville and Notre Dame in their last two matches.
NC State won last season’s lone meeting with Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, 3-0.
Ester Talamazzi paces the squad offensively with 204 kills, an average of 3.19 kills per set. At setter, Rhegan Mitchell owns a team-high 619 assists or 9.98 assists per set, which ranks sixth in the ACC. Defensively, Carol Raffety leads the Hokies with 3.83 digs per set to rank among the top 10 of the conference.
As a team, Virginia Tech owns a team attacking percentage of .206 and its opponents have compiled a .225 clip.
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