North Carolina State University Athletics
NC State
5-1
UCONN
3-3
Pack Volleyball Captures 2014 Courtyard Midtown Classic Title
9/6/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
RALEIGH, N.C. – Behind a 14 kill performance from Rachel Buckley and a double-double effort from Maggie Speaks, the NC State women’s volleyball team captured its fifth straight win by defeating UCONN, 3-1 (25-17, 25-19, 19-25, 25-19), Saturday evening inside historic Reynolds Coliseum.
With the win, State wins the 2014 Courtyard Midtown Classic with an unblemished 3-0 record. For the season, the Wolfpack improves to 5-1, while the Huskies fall to 3-3.
Bunn’s Beat
On the play throughout the day:
“We came out and played well in all three sets against Toledo,” said head coach Bryan Bunn. “We had a couple of letdowns, but they weren’t as lengthy as the ones last week. We bounced back a lot faster. Obviously, we had a letdown in the third set against UCONN, but we came back in the fourth set. UCONN started playing a lot better, but we came back and played really well.”
On winning the 2014 Courtyard Midtown Classic:
“It’s always good to play at home because we can get into a good rhythm. We train in here and it’s a definite advantage to play here.”
Player Quotes
Rachel Buckley
On what winning the tournament tells you about the team:
“We did some good things this weekend, but we still have some areas where we need to grow. If this is where we’re starting, where we’re finishing in my mind is exciting. If everybody keeps playing hard and works hard in practice then where we finish the season will be exciting.”
Alesha Wilson
On earning All-Tournament Team honors:
“It’s awesome. I love getting accolades, because it shows that you are doing good work for the team.”
Worth Noting
- The Pack captured the first set, 25-17, limiting UCONN to an .081 hitting percentage. Buckley led the way with five kills in the set and a .455 hitting percentage.
- With the score tied at 11-all in the second set, State utilized a 5-0 run to take control and went on to win the set, 25-19. Alesha Wilson and Buckley each had four kills in the frame for the Pack.
- UCONN forced a fourth set after winning the third frame, 25-19.
- NC State closed out the match in the fourth set, where it never trailed en route to a 25-19 win. The Wolfpack used a 7-4 run to end the match and Perry Ramsey recorded four of her nine kills on the night in the frame.
Key Performers
- Maggie Speaks recorded a double-double to lead the squad with 34 assists and 10 digs. The sophomore also recorded five kills and one block in the victory.
- Buckley led the offensive attack with 14 kills and four blocks, while recording just one attack error in 27 attempts for a .481 hitting percentage. Alesha Wilson also recorded double digit kills with 10, while Ramsey chipped in with nine.
- Three Wolfpackers recorded double-digit digs, as Alston Kearns led the defensive effort with a match-high 18. Rachel Eppley and Speaks recorded 10 apiece.
- Buckley was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) in the 2014 Courtyard Midtown Classic. Morgan Cormier and Wilson also were named to the All-Tournament team.
Up Next
The Wolfpack will return to action against Harvard Friday, Sept. 12, at the Georgia Benson Hospitality Invitational hosted by the University of Georgia in Athens. First serve for the match is set for 4 p.m.
