0
0
Wake Forest volleyball opened its fourth week of the fall 2025 season at East Carolina on Tuesday evening inside Williams Arena. The Demon Deacons (4-5, 0-0 ACC) competed through five sets before falling short in a 3-2 defeat to the host Pirates (8-1, 0-0 American).
Final. pic.twitter.com/b32Iw14oKo
— Wake Forest Volleyball (@WakeVolleyball) September 17, 2025
Graduate student Ryleigh Whitekettle reached a new career high in blocks (8) and a season-best total in kills (14). Freshman Kelis Hawkins also had her best single-match performance in total blocks this fall, finishing with a match-high 11. The middle blocker also chipped in seven kills on a .545 attacking clip.
Senior Paige Crawford led Wake Forest in kills for a fifth-straight outing, totaling 16 for the night. The Wimberley, Texas, native added 10 digs to her line for her first double-double of the year. Coming off her stellar Sunday showing, freshman Sadie Poeck went for another season high in kills with 12. Tuesday marked the fifth time this fall in which three Deacs recorded double-digit numbers in kills.
Clutch play by Pati rn,
Deacs +3Set 5⃣ pic.twitter.com/mAlmHJKKzH
— Wake Forest Volleyball (@WakeVolleyball) September 17, 2025
Sophomore Becca Bellows notched third double-double of the season – 26 assists and career highs in both digs (18) and service aces (3). Senior Rian Baker chipped in 22 assists and eight digs.
Senior Emma Farrell led all individuals with a season-high 21 digs.
Standout Stats
The Deacs’ 80 digs resulted as a new season high in a single match and the most since posting 75 in a win over Syracuse on Nov. 3, 2024.
One at a time 😤 pic.twitter.com/87QuKjdx7H
— Wake Forest Volleyball (@WakeVolleyball) September 17, 2025
Five players recorded eight or more digs:
Emma Farrell – 23
Becca Bellows – 18
Paige Crawford – 10
Rian Baker – 8
Patrycja Lagida – 8
A trio of Wake players tallied 12-plus kills:
Paige Crawford – 16
Ryleigh Whitekettle – 14
Sadie Poeck – 12
Wake Forest outperformed East Carolina in almost every major category:
Points: 81.0 to 72.0
Kills: 58 to 53
Blocks: 17 to 13
Assists: 55 to 52
Digs: 80 to 67
From Coach Hulsmeyer
“Credit to East Carolina – they played a very competitive match,” said head coach Jeff Hulsmeyer. “They kept fighting the entire time, and we knew they were never going to stop. This final week of matches before conference play starts is important for us in many different ways. We need to regroup fast for another one on Thursday, looking to protect our home court.”
Back on our floor tomorrow 🏠 pic.twitter.com/6vLydTpsaZ
— Wake Forest Volleyball (@WakeVolleyball) September 17, 2025
Up Next
Wake Forest will soon be back on its home floor, hosting the North Carolina A&T Aggies on Thursday evening (Sept. 18). First serve is set for 6:30 p.m. and the match can be viewed on ACC Network Extra.
About the Author
