@WSUVBall Faces Tough Competition

Friday, September 7

Raleigh, NC

2:00 PM

Wright State University

North Carolina State

9/4/2018 2:53:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Coach Matters Preview

By: Communications

The Wright State volleyball team will ride a five-match winning streak into the state of North Carolina this weekend. The Raiders will play at North Carolina State Saturday at 2 pm before taking on North Carolina Central Saturday at 11 am and Appalachian State at 2 pm. Saturday's matches will be played at Campbell University.

Wright State
Off to their best start since 2015 and riding its longest winning streak since 2009, the Raiders are currently 5-1 after winning the Morehead State Invitational last weekend. WSU dispatched Mercer, Saint Francis and MSU, going 9-1 in sets. Sophomore Celia Powers was named the tournament MVP while Teddie Sauer and Abby Barcus earned places on the All-Tournament Team. All three are hitting in the .250s with 60-plus kills each. Lainey Stephenson has 181 assists and 66 digs while defensive stalwart Jenna Story has 88 digs.

North Carolina State
The Wolfpack currently holds a 3-2 record with wins over VCU, SMU and Arkansas State. NCSU was tabbed to finish tied for seventh in the 15-team preseason ACC poll with Melissa Evans and Kylie Pickrell named to the 18-person preseason team. Pickrell was an AVCA All American last year while Evans was named to the ACC Freshman Team as NCSU advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Pickrell was also named to all-tournament teams in the first two Invitationals. Wright State leads the overall series 2-1

North Carolina Central
The Eagles are currently 1-5 with their lone win over Jackson State. NCC was picked to finish fourth in the South Division of the MEAC. Morgan Goodwin leads NCC with 51 kills on the young season while Celine Morris holds 97 assists. The two teams have never met before.

Appalachian State
The Mountaineers are now 4-2 after falling to Clemson and Mississippi State. ASU started the campaign at 4-0, going 12-0 in sets. App State was placed third in the East Division in the Sun Belt preseason poll as they finished 12-20 a year ago. Kara Spicer is hitting .308 in 20 sets with 51 kills and Emma Longley has 73 kills for a .262 percentage. WSU leads the overall series 4-0.

Next Up
The pre-conference slate of tournaments ends next week at the Crusader Classic hosted by Valparaiso. The Raiders will play Western Illinois, Cornell and Valpo.