Volleyball set to host Southwest Virginia in opening round of Region 10 Tournament
RALEIGH, NC – Wake Tech Volleyball hosts Southwest Virginia in the first round of the Region 10 Division II Tournament on Wednesday, October 25 at 5:00 p.m. The Eagles finished the regular season with a 15-7 (7-4) record, narrowly missing out on a first round bye that would have sent them straight to the quarterfinal round of the tournament. The Eagles also enter the tournament with some important momentum. Despite starting the month of October with a three-match losing streak, they finished the regular season strong, winning three of their four final matches. Their only loss coming on the road against #17 Cape Fear.
A new postseason format was introduced in Region 10 this year, eliminating the East and West divisions used in the last two seasons. Now all 12 Division II teams qualify for the tournament, but first round byes are given to the top four-seeded teams. Wake Tech enters the tournament as the #5 seed, missing out on the bye, but they are rewarded with getting to host #12 seed Southwest Virginia in the first round. The Eagles won both matches against the Flying Eagles in straight sets during the regular season.
In the six total sets played between these two teams this season, Wake Tech has outscored Southwest Virginia 150-89. Only twice did Southwest Virginia score 20 points in a set. The first match between the two teams was played at Wake Tech's north campus and the Eagles were led that night by Gabi Carter who recorded seven kills. She enters the postseason with 105 kills.
Sophia Smallwood is teams leader in kills (154) and kills per set (2.23). The Eagles will rely on her and fellow outside hitter Grace Covington to put away the Flying Eagles. Other top contributors include Kennedy George who leads the team in blocks per set (0.78), which is fifth-best amongst all Region 10 Division II players. Marcy Oros leads the team with 5.16 digs per set, which is third best in Region 10. Oros has been the team's main libero.
The winners of the first round matchups will meet up with the top four seeds at Fayetteville Tech Community College on Friday for the quarterfinal round. The semifinals and championship will take place on Saturday. Full information for the tournament can be found here.