Volleyball Falls to Georgia Tech Despite Long Battle

RALEIGH – NC State volleyball (12-11, 6-6) fell to No. 10 Georgia Tech (17-4, 10-2) on Sunday afternoon in Reynolds Coliseum in four sets.
 
The Wolfpack’s offense was led by Martyna Leoniak who posted a career-high 19 kills. Vanja Bukilic additionally posted double digit kills with 11.
 
NC State’s offensive effort was aided by 19 assists from Kristen McDaniel alongside 17 from Naomi Cabello.
 
Bukilic also had an impact on the defensive end of the floor, posting a team-high seven blocks on the contest.
 
NC State was one of just five ACC opponents to push the Yellow Jackets to more than three sets, with two being top-five ranked Louisville and Pittsburgh.
 
Set One (22-25)
Georgia Tech was able to respond to a fast start from the Pack, winning six of the set’s last eight points. NC State led by as many as five in the set, and as late as 20-19. The frame was highlighted by freshman Lily Cropper tallying three early kills in addition to three kills from Amanda Rice.
 
Set Two (16-25)
The Pack was unable to overcome a fast start from the Yellow Jackets in the second set, with Georgia Tech jumping out to a quick 7-2 lead that forced NC State into a timeout. The Yellow Jackets closed the set easily as the Wolfpack were never able to bounce back from the early deficit.
 
Set Three (25-23)
An exciting third set saw NC State pick up its lone set win of the day in dramatic fashion. The Pack jumped out to a quick 8-3 lead early in the set, only for Georgia Tech to forge an impressive comeback. Trailing 23-22, NC State engineered three quick points to claim the…