DURHAM, N.C. – NC State volleyball got off to a good start to begin the 2007 season, downing South Carolina State, 3-0, in its season opener on Friday, Aug. 24, at the NC Central Tournament in Durham, N.C. Freshmen Lauren Zaniboni (17) and Amber Spolarich (nine) led the Pack in the kill department, while senior Ashley Wallace added seven. The Pack has now won its first match of the season in three of the last four years.
State took the first game, 30-21, as Zaniboni sprayed six kills and Megan Rehmer added three. SC State struggled to generate any offense, offering just a .122 hitting percentage.
Game two was much closer, as both teams exchanged leads in a seesaw battle. The Wolfpack fell into a 2-0 hole to start off, but quickly jumped back to claim a 5-2 advantage. As play continued, each team failed to mount a lead greater than four points, but a Zaniboni kill gave State the lead for good at 25-24. Shenice Clark clinched the game for the Pack at 30-27 with a service error.
State clicked on all cylinders in the third and final frame en route to a 30-11 decision. The Pack opened with a 4-0 run, eventually moving the lead to 18 points before Carlee Fowler sealed the deal with a kill to halt play. State grabbed match highs in kills (17) and hitting percentage (.667) during its final trip to the floor.
The Pack will return to the court at 7 p.m., taking on tournament host NC Central.
Courtesy: Karl DeBlaker
