Sports > December 1, 2005

By Ryan Durham

Assistant Sports Editor

The volleyball team went into the Thanksgiving break hoping to finish the season on a positive note, but despite defeating Virginia Tech Nov. 19 they were unable to do the same against Virginia, Miami and Florida State.

The Demon Deacons started off the first weekend of the break Nov.18 against the Cavaliers of the University of Virginia. Wake Forest took a commanding lead in the first game of the match and did not allow Virginia to come close throughout, winning the first match 30-22. Unfortunately the Deacs could not keep up this domination. Although they stayed close for most of game two the Deacons could not seem to take the lead from the Cavaliers and fell after a 5-2 run that gave Virginia the win 30-24.

In game three Wake Forest managed to tie the score at 12 and take the lead for a short period, but a 7-1 run helped the Cavaliers win the game 30-23, putting them ahead 2-1 in the match.

Despite knotting the score 14 times in game four, the Deacons could not manage to overcome Virginia’s attack and fell in extra points 33-31, losing the match 3-1.

Senior Setter Erin Borhart earned a triple-double with 11 kills, 51 assists and 15 digs in the game. Four other Deacons had kills in the double digits, including junior outside hitter Lauren Peterson, who led the attack with 16.

Even with a tough loss the day before, Wake Forest came out strong against Virginia Tech Nov. 19. The Deacs took control of the first game early and never looked back, thanks in part to a 9-2 run Wake Forest took the game 30-17.

The Hokies took off early in game two with six unanswered points to take a slight lead, but they were not able to hold back the Deacons’ attack. Wake Forest rallied back to win the lead and the game 30-26. Virginia Tech jumped out to a lead again in game three, but was unable to maintain it. Wake Forest slowly rallied back and won the game 30-25 and match 3-0.

“It was the last home game and senior night,” senior middle blocker Christy Williams said. “We wanted to go out with a bang.”

Redshirt freshman outside hitter Jessica Furlong led the team with 13 kills on the night, followed closely by Peterson who had 11. On the defensive end, junior defensive specialist Natasha Schaefer notched 17 digs in the win.

Wake Forest traveled next to the “Sunshine State” to face Miami Nov. 23 and Florida State Nov. 25. Miami gained the lead early in game one and did not relinquish it for its entirety due in part to a 7-2 run that allowed the ’Canes to win the game 30-23.

In the second game, the Deacons came out strong and jumped quickly into the lead. Unfortunately Wake Forest was unable to hold on and lost the game 30-26.

In game three Miami took an early lead winning the game 30-19 and the match 3-0.

Furlong was the only Wake Forest player to have kills in the double digits with 11. Senior defensive specialist Klarysa Henry had 16 digs on the day, which was the team high for the match.

“The team didn’t do anything wrong, being at home for the holidays was good for them,” Head Coach Heather Kahl said.

The Deacs then traveled north to face Florida State in their last ACC match of the season. The first game of the match was close as Wake Forest stayed tight with the ’Noles but a 4-2 stretch at the end of the game gave the Deacs a loss 30-25.

A 6-0 run by Florida State in the second game allowed the Seminoles to take their second win of the night 30-26.

Wake Forest fought back in game three of the match tying the score 15 times. They could not pull out a win though, and lost the game 30-28 and the match 3-0.

“It was really tough because it was the last two games of the season and they were away,” Williams said. “It was hard to get going because there were no games left.”

Furlong was once again the only Deacon with double digit kills at 10 but she was followed closely behind by Peterson and Williams, who each tallied nine. Schaefer was the only Deac with digs in the double digits with 12.

“I’m very pleased with the season outcome,” Furlong said. “It was a big jump from last year, but I wish we could have finished stronger.”

Wake Forest ends their season 17-14 overall and 10-12 in the ACC, which ties the program record for ACC wins in a season and gives them an eighth-place finish in the ACC.