VB: NC State falls 3-1 at Miami

North Carolina State University

VB: NC State falls 3-1 at Miami

Oct 6, 2012

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Miami — The NC State volleyball team had its 10-match win streak snapped Friday evening, as Miami powered its way to a 3-1 Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) win on its home floor. The setback was just the second for the Wolfpack this season, and the first in conference play.

“We were in control of the first set,” said head coach Bryan Bunn. “We were up 22-21, and we didn’t really recover in the second set. We played well in the third [set]. It was tight in the fourth until 10 points, and then they went on a big run. Two big runs cost us the match.”

Miami (13-3, 5-1 ACC) grabbed an early, 12-10 advantage in the first set, but two blocks and a kill by junior Brie Merriwether were part of a four-point run to give the Wolfpack a 14-12 advantage. The Hurricanes would tie the set at 19-all, and after trailing 23-22, went on to score three straight points to win the set, 25-23, and take a 1-0 lead in the match.

NC State (15-2, 5-1 ACC) was unable to bounce back in the second set, when Miami led by as many as 13 in the frame, before claiming a 25-17 victory to take a 2-0 lead into the locker room.

The Pack would not go down easily, showing some grit coming out of the half.

“We served tougher in the third set, and then we also took care of the ball,” said Bunn.

The Wolfpack appeared to be revived after the break, hitting .286, en route to a 25-20 victory and cutting Miami’s lead to 2-1. Unfortunately, the Hurricanes would not succumb to NC State’s pressure, as they grabbed a 25-15 fourth set win, and sealed their 13th victory of the 2012 season.

NC State was led by senior Megan Cyr, who posted a double-double with 33 assists and 14 digs. Merriwether recorded a team-high 10 kills, with a .296 hitting percentage on the evening.

“We’ve got to be a little bit tougher emotionally,” said Bunn. “After we gave up that first set, we kind of fell apart in the second, so we just have to be able to handle that situation on the road.”

The Pack will try to get back on track on Sunday at 14th-ranked Florida State. First serve is scheduled for 1 p.m. The Seminoles have won seven-straight and were picked to win the ACC in the league’s preseason poll.