Wake vs. Pitt Volleyball
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By: KJ Smith
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – The Wake Forest volleyball team (9-13, 3-8 ACC) dropped a hard-fought battle to No. 2 Pitt (20-1, 10-1 ACC) by a final score of 3-1 on Friday night at Varsity Arena.
Final. pic.twitter.com/yMkIhS9hZI
— Wake Forest Volleyball (@WakeVolleyball) October 31, 2026
Despite the loss, the Demon Deacons became the first team to win a set against the Panthers since Oct. 7, taking the second set by a score of 25-23 to snap Pitt’s streak of five straight sweeps. Overall, only two teams have claimed a set against the Panthers in conference play.
Not in our house 🧱 pic.twitter.com/vcnIHJT4rn
— Wake Forest Volleyball (@WakeVolleyball) October 31, 2026
This also marked the first time the Deacs took a set off of Pitt since the Demon Deacons swept the Panthers on Oct. 15, 2021.
Camille with the stuff 💪 pic.twitter.com/eoeuvIQU1P
— Wake Forest Volleyball (@WakeVolleyball) October 31, 2026
The Deacs were led by a balanced offensive attack, with four Demon Deacons finishing with 10 or more kills.
Through three. pic.twitter.com/hSqsfQTSWC
— Wake Forest Volleyball (@WakeVolleyball) October 31, 2026
Sophomore Amina N’Diaye led the Deacs with 13 kills, her most in a conference match this season. N’Diaye also added five digs and a block on Friday.
Put another ace on the board ♦️ pic.twitter.com/9xH9jsGhXz
— Wake Forest Volleyball (@WakeVolleyball) October 31, 2026
Freshman Lyla Stewart continued her stellar rookie season, logging 12 kills. Stewart also tallied two blocks and three assists against Pitt.
Too cool, Ryleigh 🥶 pic.twitter.com/Z2tfFM2afE
— Wake Forest Volleyball (@WakeVolleyball) October 30, 2026
With her performance, the Powell, Ohio, native has recorded double-digit kills in six of the last seven matches, totaling 88 kills during that span.
SET TWO BELONGS TO THE DEACS 👏 pic.twitter.com/U7PHKMIIoK
— Wake Forest Volleyball (@WakeVolleyball) October 30, 2026
Sophomore Sadie Poeck recorded double-digit kills for the first time this season, logging a season-high 11 kills and a block while maintaining a .409 hitting percentage. Meanwhile, graduate student Ryleigh Whitekettle totaled 10 kills and a pair of blocks.
Sanaa's on fire 🔥 pic.twitter.com/JewkvR4VRr
— Wake Forest Volleyball (@WakeVolleyball) October 30, 2026
Elsewhere, the setter duo of junior Becca Bellows and freshman Emma Keeping both recorded 22 assists.
Up by 3⃣
WFU 18 No. 2 Pitt 15 | Set Two pic.twitter.com/TCVyoLWIBb
— Wake Forest Volleyball (@WakeVolleyball) October 30, 2026
Redshirt senior Sanaa Williams led the way defensively, totaling a team-high eight blocks to go along with six kills and a dig. Meanwhile, senior Andrea Roman added nine digs, two assists and two service aces.
Causing some chaos 🚨 pic.twitter.com/z0fosbLJRF
— Wake Forest Volleyball (@WakeVolleyball) October 30, 2026
Standout Stats
The Demon Deacons became the first team to take a set against the Panthers since Oct. 7, snapping Pitt’s streak of five straight sweeps.
Only two teams have won a set against the Panthers in conference play this season.
Additionally, this marked the first time the Deacs took a set off of Pitt since the Demon Deacons swept the Panthers on Oct. 15, 2021.
Four Deacs finished the match with double-digit kills.
Amina N’Diaye: 13 kills
Lyla Stewart: 12 kills
Sadie Poeck: 11 kills
Ryleigh Whitekettle: 10 kills
Return to sender 📨 pic.twitter.com/IDZ4aBCx7M
— Wake Forest Volleyball (@WakeVolleyball) October 30, 2026
From Coach Hulsmeyer
“I thought we did a good job today. We came in with a really good game plan. Appreciate the coaches for putting that together. We executed it well, but we have to be able to continue to do that over time because teams are going to adjust. I really love the effort that we had tonight. Our consistency continues to get better. That’s what we’re striving for when we come back on Sunday.”
Up Next
The Demon Deacons conclude their homestand with another top-five matchup, taking on the Mustangs in the annual We Are Wake Mental Health Awareness Match on Sunday, Nov. 1, at 1 p.m.
Admission is free for all spectators, and the match will be streamed live on ACC Network Extra.
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