Eagles Volleyball Defeats NC State on Senior Day

Yesterday was Senior Day for the Eagles and not only did the seniors lead the team to a 3-2 victory over NC State, but to match a program win record of 20 regular season wins, a record last reached in 2004.

Boston College took the first set 25-18, starting with an early lead. Later, the Eagles managed a four point run, taking a lead of 17-9. The Wolfpack fought back to bring it within six, but the Eagles finished with an impressive block from Cat Balido and Amaka Chukwujekwu.

The opening of the second set was much closer, with NC State in the lead by a two or one point deficit until the Eagles tied it at nine-all. The Eagles took the lead then with an ace from Torey Baum before NC State responded with two kills. A few points later, the Wolfpack made a nine-point run the Eagles never recovered from. The Wolfpack ended the match 25-18.

NC State began the third set with a five-point streak, only to have the Eagles respond with seven in a row of their own. The Wolfpack answered with another run of their own, taking the lead of 11-7 after a six point run. The teams traded a few points before NC State took a five point run to lead by four. Once again, errors got the best of the Eagles and they lost the set, 25-19, with a match score of 2-1, Wolfpack.

The fourth set opened fairly evenly again, always within three, though NC State held the lead for the majority of the set. The Eagles were able to tie it up at 12-12, but the Wolfpack responded with a three-point streak. A few minutes later, the Eagles fought their way into the lead with four unanswered points, 19-17. NC State would then take the lead with a another three-point steak, but the Eagles then made six in a row, taking the win 25-20 and forcing a fifth set.

The fifth set was closer than the rest with no deficit greater than three points. The lead stayed with the Wolfpack until Chukwujekwu’s solo block and kill made it 11-10, Eagles. The Wolfpack regained their lead, forcing an Eagles timeout. Out of the break, the Eagles rattled off three points before allowing the last NC State point of the night. Jewel Strawberry earned the match point with a kill, winning the set 15-13.

Four different Eagles had double-digit points. Cat Balido led the team with 16 kills and three block assists, followed closely by Jill Strockis, who had her second double-double of the season with 15 kills and 12 digs. Clare Naughton and Amaka Chukwujekwu both had nine kills of the teams’ 69 total, and Chukwujekwu contributed five of BC’s eight blocks, with one solo and four assists. Jewel Strawberry also had 15 kills even though she played four out of the five sets.