Score: NC State 3, VCU 1 (25-23, 25-6, 19-25, 25-19)
Location: Richmond, Va. (Siegel Center)
Records: VCU 2-6, NC State 7-2
 
The short story: Senior Julia Rienks provided a match-high 17 kills, but VCU was unable to dig itself out of an early hole Saturday night against NC State.
 
OPENING VOLLEY

• Rienks added six digs and two blocks on the night
• Sophomore middle blocker Letizia Galli registered five blocks, including three solos, as well as six kills for the Black and Gold. Three other Rams notched six kills a piece
• Sophomore setter Cansin Sendir handed out 24 assists and dug 10 balls in three sets of action off the bench for the Rams
• Courtney Bryant paced the Wolfpack with 14 kills and four aces 

THE DIFFERENCE

• VCU hit .136 on the night, while NC State recorded a .250 mark
• The Wolfpack served up 10 aces to the Rams' one and owned a 12-11 edge in blocks
• VCU was unable to rally back from a 2-0 deficit in the match. The Rams did manage to make things interesting in the third in and fourth sets. Rienks blasted five kills and VCU hit .250 in the third as the Rams cruised to a 25-19 win. In the fourth, the Black and Gold played NC State toe-to-toe early. But the Wolfpack embarked on a 7-2 run, backed by a pair of Bryant kills, to open up a 19-14 lead on the way to a 25-19 victory

NEXT UP
VCU will return home on Friday, Sept. 26 when it opens Atlantic 10 Conference play against Duquesne. That match is set to begin at 6 p.m. and will air live on ESPN+.