UNCW Volleyball falls at Wake Forest | News

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina – Junior Christi Laite recorded 18 kills and sophomore Morgan Kline added 13, but Wake Forest rallied from a 2-1 deficit to defeat UNCW, 3-2 (25-16, 18-25, 28-30, 25-14, 15-7), in collegiate volleyball action at the Deacon Invitational Friday at Reynolds Gym.

The Demon Deacons evened their season mark at 1-1 with the five-set triumph while the Seahawks moved to 3-2. Both teams conclude their appearances in the Deacon Invitational Saturday with matches against Davidson and Winthrop. UNCW faces the Eagles at 10 a.m. and the Wildcats at 4:30 p.m. while Wake Forest takes on Davidson at Noon and Winthrop in the tournament nightcap at 7 p.m.

"I'm happy with how hard our team fought in games two and three, but we did not have an answer for their veteran middles, which had an outstanding match tonight," said UNCW Head Coach Amy Bambenek. "Even with this outcome, I think our team turned a corner and now realize how good we can be if we can remain consistent and do the little things right every time.  I was once again pleased with the production of Christi (Laite) and Morgan (Kline). We will be relying on them a lot this season to be our leaders on the floor and they stepped up tonight."

In the first matchup between the two state rivals since the 2000 season, Kline and Laite combined to record 31 of UNCW's 51 kills as the duo combined for a .287 hitting percentage for the match. Kline and Laite also tallied 11 and 10 digs, respectively, as both players finished with a double-double. Freshman setter Victoria Phillips dished out a match-best 43 assists.  

Preseason All-ACC selection senior Andrea Beck recorded a match-high 20 kills to lead four Demon Deacons with double figure kills. Junior Kristen Grissom pitched in 15 spikes while recording one error in 22 total attempts to post a .636 hitting percentage and highlight a Wake Forest lineup that combined for a .368 attack percentage for the match. Grissom also tallied eight total blocks to power a Demon Deacons frontline that notched 11 total blocks. Sophomore Dana Rosendall handed out a match-high 55 assists.

After falling in the opening set 25-16, UNCW rallied for a 25-18 victory in the second frame, using a 9-3 spurt midway through the set to grow a 13-11 advantage into a 22-15 cushion on their way to an eight-point victory.

The third set saw the two sides battled back and forth through 11 ties and two lead changes until a Wake Forest attack error and a service ace from Kline broke a 28-all deadlock and gave the Seahawks a 30-28 triumph.

The Demon Deacons evened the match with a 25-14 victory in the fourth set, racing out to an early 3-0 lead before using a 7-2 run to take a 21-10 lead and coast to the 11-point win.

Wake Forest carried its momentum from the fourth set into the final stanza, posting a quick 6-2 lead and forcing UNCW to take a timeout. The Demon Deacons continued their strong play the rest of the way, scoring the final three points of the set to take the frame, 15-7, and the match.