Sports > October 23, 2008

By Donovan Carberry | Staff writer

Wake volleyball continued its road slump losing to both Virginia and Virginia Tech. Wake traveled to Virginia Tech on Oct. 17 where it lost three sets to one. Two days later it took on the Cavaliers, losing once again three sets to one.

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Sophomore outside hitter Kristen White serves the ball during a home game. White is currently second on the team with kills this season with 196. (Andrew Christian/Old Gold & Black)

Virginia Tech went into the match leading the ACC and with a significant home court advantage: it have not lost to Wake at home since 1980. The first set remained close with both teams trading points, but the Deacons led 16-14 after several Virginia Tech attack errors.

The Hokies did not let the lead grow, eventually tying the score up at 19 and then taking a 20-24 lead.

Kills from the Deacon freshmen Kadija Fornah and Cambrey Oehler were not enough as a blocking error allowed Virginia Tech to sneak away with the set 25-23.

Wake took an early two point lead in the second set.

The Deacons stayed up two until a series of blocks pushed them ahead further.

First it was Fornah and then sophomore Lauren McIntyre scoring off the Hokie attack. After teaming up with senior Ashley Homitz, McIntyre scored again via block.

The back-to-back blocks initiated a 7-0 run by the Demon Deacons to put them up 21-12. Wake did not look back.

A kill from Homitz and then two from sophomore Kristen White finished the set. The Deacons won 25-15.

The third set began close. Just as the Hokies began to pull away, Wake came back to tie it 13-13. Virginia Tech was again able to push the lead to four. Although, the Deacons stayed close the Hokies proved too much. Virginia Tech took the third set 25-21.

Graduate student Natalie Mullikin launched the Deacons into the fourth set.

She had three kills and a block assist which helped put the Deacons up 7-1.

The Hokies stormed back scoring six unanswered points and tying the score at 10. Virginia Tech then pushed out to a three-point lead that the Deacons could not cut.

The Hokies took the set 25-19 and with it the match.

Mullikin had 17 kills, a match high. Sophomore Kelsey Jones’s 44 assists and 13 digs were good for a double-double that is her 11th of the season.

Wake Forest continued their road trip with a game against Virginia Oct. 19.

The Cavaliers were 3-5 in the ACC going into the match. White, McIntyre and Mullikin started out the first set with kills.

The Wake onslaught continued and the Deacons lead by as much as 12. They went on to win 25-14.

Virginia woke up in the second set. The score remained close until a 4-0 run by put them up 17-14.

Wake cut the lead to one but Virginia again scored several unanswered points. The Cavilers won the set 25-21.

The third again started close and the Cavaliers again pulled away.

The score was tied at eight began a 10-4 run that gave them a commanding 18-12 lead. It was enough to hold off the Deacons who lost the set 15-16.

Wake started the fourth set leading 5-0 thanks in part to a block and pair of kills by Mullikin.

Virginia was unfazed. Slowly cutting into Wake’s lead, they tied the score at 20.

The teams then went back and forth eventually coming to another tie at 25. But block and a kill for Virginia ended the set 27-25.

Wake Forest has now lost to Virginia four straight times. Its also the eight time in the last nine games that the Cavaliers have beaten Wake.

Wake Forest is now 4-5 in conference play.

The Deacons play again on Oct. 24 against Boston College and then again on Oct. 25 against Maryland.

Both matches will be played at home.