Wake Forest Volleyball
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Opening its October slate, the Wake Forest volleyball team returned to Varsity Arena on Friday night for its Atlantic Coast Conference home opener, hosting the Florida State Seminoles. The Demon Deacons (7-7, 1-2 ACC) forced a five-set outing before falling just short in a 3-2 defeat to the visitors (8-4, 2-1 ACC). As a team, the Deacs tallied 14 blocks – 10 of which went to redshirt junior Sanaa Williams. It was a new career high for the Nashville native, who also chipped in six kills.
Final. pic.twitter.com/ghb5xGExSg
— Wake Forest Volleyball (@WakeVolleyball) October 4, 2025
Graduate student Ryleigh Whitekettle’s 13 kills finished as a team high, while senior Paige Crawford racked up 12. Crawford also tied her career-best mark in blocks (3) and had 10 digs for her second season double-double. Senior Rian Baker notched her third double-double of the year – 23 assists and 12 digs. Sophomore Becca Bellows contributed 26 assists – tied for the match lead – seven digs and three service aces. Freshman Kelis Hawkins tied her season high in kills with nine, adding four blocks to her line. Junior Patrycja Lagida had nine kills of her own. Freshman Sadie Poeck posted seven kills and five blocks, tying a season-best total in the latter.
Freshie puts down a pair of kills early 👊
Set 5⃣ pic.twitter.com/NpSsiwDniz
— Wake Forest Volleyball (@WakeVolleyball) October 4, 2025
Standout Stats
Wake Forest totaled 14 blocks in the match – its second-highest clip of the fall.
Five Deacs finished with three or more blocks:
Sanaa Williams – 10 (new career high)
Sadie Poeck – 5
Kelis Hawkins – 4
Ryleigh Whitekettle – 3
Paige Crawford – 3 (tied for career high)
Additionally on the defensive side, three players reached double figures in digs:
Emma Farrell – 15
Rian Baker – 12 (season high)
Paige Crawford – 10
Additional Notes
The Deacs and Seminoles matched up on Friday evening for the 49th time within program history.
Sanaa Williams has totaled 20 blocks in her last 12 sets played.
Paige Crawford reached over 100 career blocks during the match.
Ryleigh Whitekettle has now led Wake Forest in kills three times this fall.
Friday’s contest featured Wake Forest’s third five-set showing of fall 2025.
From Coach Hulsmeyer
“I was very proud of the effort we got out of the team tonight,” said head coach Jeff Hulsmeyer. “There were several times where we could’ve faded away, but the players just kept battling back – even in that fifth set, when we were down, they pushed hard until the very end. Unfortunately, we didn’t get some of the bounces we’d like to in the fifth, but I just loved the way we responded throughout the night, especially after losing the third set and playing the way we did in the fourth.
“We showed a handful of good things. Still, in the end, we need to continue to execute and push through to win those matches. So, we’re not satisfied with the outcome but will go back to the gym tomorrow and get better and ready for Miami.”
Up Next
Wake Forest is back in action inside Varsity Arena on Sunday, hosting No. 22 Miami. First serve is set for 1 p.m. and the contest can be viewed on ACC Network Extra.
Credit: Photo & article godeacs.com
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