The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1153250
22 ■ THE WOLFPACKER TRACKING THE PACK Wes Moore's Wolfpack has reached the Sweet 16 in two straight seasons. PHOTO BY KEN MARTIN ■ RED AND WHITE NOTEBOOK Women's Tennis Lands Talented Wisconsin Transfer Decorated women's tennis standout Lexi Keberle is trans- ferring from Wisconsin to NC State, where she'll have two years of eligibility remaining for the ninth-ranked Wolfpack. The 5-7 Keberle played at No. 1 singles her freshman year, and went 25-10 en route to first-team All-Big Ten and All-Freshman accolades. She played No. 2 singles this past year, and posted a 25-11 mark en route to a final singles ranking of No. 107 in the country. She also went 14-13 in doubles action while playing with three different partners. "It's not often that someone like Lexi comes along in recruiting that's a no-brainer and that the feeling is instantly mutual," NC State head coach Simon Earnshaw said. "We've had the opportunity recently to get to know Lexi and her family, and I can't emphasize how fortunate we are to welcome them to the program. "Lexi's goals, mindset and passion fit everything we can ask for in a player, and that instantly resonated with every- one involved in the program." The former West Bend (Wis.) East High standout went a perfect 61-0 in high school and was ranked No. 23 overall in the country by TennisRecruiting.net. The additions of Keberle and Auburn transfer Jaeda Dan- iel, a junior, give NC State five players who were ranked in the Oracle/ITA top 115 rankings last year. NC State also signed Carolyn Ansari July 15. The Greens- boro (N.C.) Page High standout was ranked as the No. 2 prospect in North Carolina and the No. 42 overall player nationally by TennisRecruiting.net. Ansari was a three-time champion at the North Carolina State Closed Championship, and three of her siblings have played Division I tennis. Senior Power Forward Nick Farrar Verbally Commits To NC State NC State offered local standout Nick Farrar Aug. 5, and he committed two days later. The 6-6, 230-pounder Farrar burst onto the scene during his junior year at Apex (N.C.) Friendship. NC State assistant coach James Johnson started the evaluation process, which picked up in earnest this past June. The power forward was able to play at NC State's team camp, giving head coach Kevin Keatts a chance to further assess him. The Wolfpack finally pulled the trigger with a scholarship offer after that. He picked NC State over Texas A&M, LSU, Houston, Cincinnati, Seton Hall, West- ern Kentucky, VCU and Rutgers, among others. The Rivals.com three-star prospect attended the Virginia Tech at NC State game at PNC Arena and also the Lipscomb at NCSU contest in the NIT at Reynolds Coliseum this past season. He also unofficially visited in late May, shortly after being named the MVP of the Josh Level Clas- sic May 17 following a 27-point performance. Farrar's loyalty has been on display this spring and summer by play- ing with Big Shots NC traveling team and remaining at Apex Friendship High. He was able to play in the adidas Gauntlet Finale to close out July with Team Loaded VA, where he averaged 7.3 points and 3.3 rebounds per game in three contests. NC State has three remaining scholarships remaining in the class of 2020. Farrar will join Nebraska shooting guard transfer Thomas Allen as newcomers for the 2020-21 season. Farrar averaged 18.9 points, 9.6 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game while helping Apex Friendship High post a 22-7 overall record in 2018-19. Non-Conference Schedule For Women's Hoops Released The NC State women's basketball team announced its challeng- ing non-conference slate in late July. The Wolfpack will face three teams that reached the NCAA Tournament last year and four WNIT participants during its non-conference slate. The 12 non-conference opponents had an average RPI of 118 last year. Maine, Texas and Maryland made the NCAA Tournament, while North Carolina A&T, Lamar, Saint Mary's and Hawai'i played in the WNIT. The contest against the Longhorns is one of three games played in the Hawai'i Tournament Nov. 29-Dec. 1 at Honolulu. NC State battles Maryland in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge at Reynolds Coli- seum Dec. 5. NC State is 47-6 on Kay Yow Court since the completed reno- vations and has won 29 consecu- tive non-conference contests. The Pack went 28-6 last year and reached the Sweet 16 before fall- ing to Iowa. NCSU's 18-game ACC sched- ule will include home games against Virginia, Virginia Tech, Duke, North Carolina, Syracuse, Louisville, Georgia Tech, Florida State and Wake Forest. FARRAR NC STATE'S NON-CONFERENCE SCHEDULE Date Opponent Oct. 31 Anderson* Nov. 6 North Carolina A&T Nov. 10 UNC Wilmington Nov. 14 Lamar Nov. 19 Maine Nov. 24 at Saint Mary's Nov. 29 vs. Texas^ Nov. 30 at Hawaii^ Dec. 1 vs. North Texas^ Dec. 5 Maryland% Dec. 15 Elon Dec. 19 Chattanooga * Exhibition; ^ Hawai'i Tournament in Honolulu; % Big Ten/ACC Challenge