Sports > October 13, 2004

By Boomer Kennedy

Old Gold & Black Reporter

The volleyball team is off to a rough start in the ACC, having lost seven straight matches following losses to Georgia Tech, Clemson and Duke. Georgia Tech, the ACC’s top team, defeated the Deacs 3-0 on Oct. 8. The following night on Oct. 9, Wake Forest fell to Clemson 3-1 before stumbling to Duke Oct. 12, 3-1.

In Wake Forest’s first match of the weekend against Georgia Tech, the Deacs grabbed an early lead in the first game; however, Wake Forest trailed 15-10 halfway through the game, eventually falling 30-22 as the game came to a close. After tying the second game of the match at 3-3, the Yellow Jackets went on an eight-point run to grab an 11-3 lead over the Deacs.

With the score 20-13 in favor of Georgia Tech, the Yellow Jackets won 10 of the next 11 points to take game two from Wake Forest, 30-14. The Deacs showed signs of life in the third game taking a late 20-19 lead; however, Georgia Tech would go on yet another run to take the final game, 30-23, and the match three games to none.

Sophomore Lauren Peterson led Wake Forest offensively, picking up nine kills. Senior Kim Stern picked up eight kills, while junior Valerie Rydberg added seven.

Senior Morgan Havig also added four kills, while freshman Emily Nedderman contributed four and freshman Jackie Lucas picked up two.

Rydberg led the Deacs defensively with seven digs, while junior A.J. Nicholas, Peterson and Nedderman added four digs apiece. Havig picked up three solo blocks while Stern, Nedderman and Lucas also added one solo block each. Nedderman led the team with 24 assists.

Georgia Tech out-hit the Deacs throughout the match, posting attack percentages above .280 in each game, while Wake Forest was unable to crack .220. The Yellow Jackets finished with a .318 team attack percentage for the match, while the Deacs hit .096.

In Wake Forest’s second match of the weekend against Clemson, the Deacs dropped the first game 30-26. The Deacs broke a 12-game losing streak after winning the second game 30-28, posting a .268 hitting percentage while forcing the Tigers to commit eight hitting errors. The Deacs would be unable to keep the momentum going, however, losing the third game 30-24 and falling in the final game 30-22.

Rydberg led the team defensively, posting a career-high 28 digs. Sophomore Jenna Doane picked up 11 digs, a career best for her, while Nicholas contributed 11 digs of her own. Junior Erin Borhart finished with eight digs and freshman Michael Faulkner added seven digs.

Havig led the team with eight assisted blocks, Stern and Borhart contributed five block assists a piece. Doane added four assisted blocks and Faulkner finished with three assisted blocks.

Stern was the key for the Deacs offensively, finishing with a team-high 14 kills while posting a .385 hitting percentage for the match.

Rydberg and Faulkner also added 13 kills each, while Havig contributed 10 kills. Borhart finished with 39 assists. Clemson out-hit the Deacs .228 to .171.

Wake Forest took the first game against Duke on Oct. 12, defeating the Blue Devils 30-27 and limiting their opponents to a .114 hitting percentage. However, the Deacs would be unable to stymie Duke’s offense, as the Blue Devils took the next three games 30-25, 30-27 and 30-22.

Stern led the way for Wake Forest offensively, contributing a career-high 22 kills while posting a .409 hitting percentage for the match. Peterson added 14 kills for a .312 hitting average, while Rydberg picked up nine kills. Havig finished with seven kills and junior Christy Williams added four.

Borhart finished with a double-double for the Deacs, picking up 54 assists and a career-best 15 digs. Rydberg led Wake Forest with 20 digs, while Schaefer contributed 13. Nicholas picked up seven digs and Doane added five.

The Deacons did their share of blocking as well as Doane and Havig posted five block assists each. Stern also finished with three block assists in the match.

“We need everybody to be healthy,” head coach Valorie Baker said. “That is killing us. Both of our All-ACC players are hurting and, basically, that’s where are struggles are. If we can get people back and healthy, then we have a shot.”

With the losses to Georgia Tech, Clemson and Duke, Wake Forest falls to 8-9 overall and 0-7 in the ACC. Despite their struggles, there have been bright spots for the Deacs.

“I am really proud of Kim Stern,” Baker said. “She has moved into the middle position from the right side because that’s where we’ve needed her. She has stepped up, she has played like a senior and she’s showing leadership; unfortunately, she can’t do it by herself.”

Next up, the Deacs will travel to Blacksburg, Va, to take on Virginia Tech Oct. 15. Wake Forest returns home the following day, Oct. 16, to host Winthrop University. The match is scheduled for 6 p.m. in Reynolds Gymnasium.