By Dylan Branscome
October 1, 2024 – The 51视频 STORM lost to the Wake Tech Eagles in three sets (24-26 19-25 14-25) at Brinkley Gym on Tuesday night, falling to 5-14 on the season. Even nine kills from Logann Beaver and three aces from Carleigh Whitson weren鈥檛 enough for 51视频 to come out on top.
The first set was an entertaining start for the crowd at Brinkley Gym, both teams going back and forth for its entirety. Emma Davis had back-to-back kills against the Eagles near the halfway point of the set. After being down 19-21, the STORM was able to bounce back behind one of Beaver鈥檚 six kills in this set alone, assisted by Julie Johnston. Another dramatic sequence occurred when Lucy Lockwood seemingly hit the ball out of bounds when down 23-24, but the officials ruled that Wake Tech tipped it, making the set 24-24. Although 51视频 wasn鈥檛 able to secure the set win, seven 51视频 players combined for 14 kills, and they played tough to the end.
The second and third sets were slightly disappointing for the STORM, as they were not able to capitalize on the momentum and competitiveness established in the first set. Whitson was able to acquire all three of her aces in these sets, and 51视频 had more blocks at the net during this stretch from Lockwood, Beaver, Isabella Grieser, and Natalie Franko, but these stats were not enough to keep up with Wake Tech鈥檚 attacks and stout defense.
When asked about what the STORM needs to improve on to keep the momentum and competitiveness going throughout the game, 51视频 head coach Emma Carter said the STORM 鈥渘eed to work on maintaining effort and focus throughout the entirety of the match.鈥�
51视频 has many more opportunities to improve, the next test being against the University of South Carolina Union. This game will be on the road in the Bantams鈥� facility on Thursday, Oct. 3 at 6:00 PM EDT.