Nov. 3, 2006

Box Score

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - Wake Forest had four players record double figures digs as the Demon Deacons raised money for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation along the way to defeating ACC-rival NC State in three games Friday evening. The Deacs breezed past the Wolfpack 30-25, 30-19, 30-24.

Wake Forest held its inaugural Dig for the Cure night to raise funds for breast cancer research and awareness. The team solicited donations from sponsors who pledged money per dig in the match by Wake. The Deacons tallied a total of 67 digs on the night, led by sophomore Jessica Furlong's 17.

Freshman Dylan Faulkner and seniors Jenna Doane and Natasha Schaefer also finished with double-digit dig totals. Faulkner had 11, while Doane and Schaefer turned in 10 each.

Senior Lauren Peterson was not far behind with seven digs, while junior Michael Faulkner recorded five.

With the win, Wake Forest improves to 13-11 overall and 9-6 in the ACC. NC State drops to 2-22 overall and 0-15 in league play.

In addition to her team-high dig total, Furlong also led the squad with 13 kills. The double-double was her fourth straight and 14th of the season.

Sophomore Shannan Homan and Peterson finished with double figure kills as well, registering 11 and 10 respectively.

Junior Jackie Lucas recorded nine kills and had five total blocks.

Sophomore Natalie Mullikin also had five blocks in the match, including three block solos.

Dylan Faulkner dished out 41 assists on the night, while Schaefer tied her season-high with four service aces.

From the first point in the opening game, the match was never in doubt for Wake Forest. The Deacons scored the game's first five points and then ran out to a 12-3 lead.

With Wake holding a 24-17 advantage, NC State scored five unanswered points to pull within three at 24-21. After a timeout, the Deacs stopped the comeback bid and held on for a 30-25 win.

Wake Forest once again jumped out to a big lead in game two, as the Demon Deacons led the Wolfpack 12-2 in the early going.

NC State never got within less than seven points the rest of the way, and Wake cruised to the 30-19 victory.

The Wolfpack took their first lead of the match when they went up 2-1 early in game three. The Deacons quickly came back with four unanswered points to re-take the lead at 5-2.

The two teams battled closely for the next several points. With Wake up 14-9, the Deacs used an 8-3 run to go up 22-12 and pull away from the Wolfpack. NC State tried to make a game of it, pulling to within four points late, but Wake Forest eventually came away with a 30-24 win.

The victory was the Deacs' 17th straight over the Wolfpack, dating back to 1998. The win also gave Wake a season sweep over NC State.

Wake Forest returns to action on Tuesday, Nov. 7, when it travels to ACC leader Duke. The Demon Deacons and Blue Devils will square off at 7 p.m. The Deacs head north the following weekend as they play at Boston College on Friday, Nov. 10, and at Maryland on Sunday, Nov. 12.