North Carolina State University Athletics
NC State
#24 UNC
Pack To Open ACC Action Against #24 UNC and Duke
9/24/2026 1:10:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
RALEIGH, N.C. — The NC State volleyball team opens ACC play this weekend, hosting No. 24 UNC on Friday, Sept. 25 at 7 p.m. before taking on Duke on Sunday at 1 p.m. This marks the second consecutive season the Wolfpack has kicked off conference action against the Tar Heels and Blue Devils.
Fans are encouraged to purchase tickets for Friday night's rivalry match in advance, as fewer than 400 tickets remain. Tickets are available online or at the box office on match day.
The program will also host its annual Alumnae Weekend, welcoming back over 30 former Wolfpack players, including current Pack Pros Julia Brown and Maggie Speaks. The returning alumnae will be recognized between sets two and three during Friday's match.
The History with Each Opponent
- No. 24 UNC: Friday marks the 127th all-time meeting with the Tar Heels and the second consecutive year the Pack opens ACC play against its rival. While UNC holds a 90-35 edge in the series, NC State has taken two of the last five meetings (2023, 2024). In last season's four-set battle, Jordan Smith and Rebecca Ring led the offense with a combined 29 kills.
- Duke: Sunday's matchup will be the 108th meeting with the Blue Devils. Duke leads the all-time series 70-35 and took the 2025 match in four sets. However, the Pack has dominated at home, winning eight of the last 10 meetings in Raleigh—including six straight victories.
- be the first conference win of the season
- be the first ranked win of the season and first under MWK
- be the first win over the Tar Heels under MWK
- be the 10th win of the season
- be the 25th win under MWK
- be the 36th win over the Tar Heels in program history
- be the 223rd conference win in program history
- be the 841st win in program history
- Talia Francom: 95 blocks from 300
- Sophie Groom: 1 block from 300*
- Kate Kilpatrick: 11 aces from 100, 317 digs from 1500
- Zuzia Maciejewicz: 489 digs from 1000
- Britni Silver: 44 kills from 200
- Rebecca Ring: 136 kills from 500
- Elaisa Villar: 165 assists from 1000
- Eva Long: 84 assists from 500
- Jordan Smith: 183 kills from 500
- The 2026 Wolfpack has shown remarkable grit early on, posting a 4-0 record in five-set matches—including three straight victories. That's a stark turnaround from last season, when NC State struggled in tight contests, going 3-4 overall in five-setters and 2-4 when trailing 2-1 (in five-set matches).
- A relentless freshman class has injected a bold expectation to win; while navigating that learning curve takes time, that fearless mindset is quickly becoming NC State's biggest asset.
- You don't want to be in the path of Jordan Smith or Britni Silver when they are fired up ... their swings become more powerful and their determination is unmatched.
