The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/714462
SEPTEMBER 2016 ■ 61 the community who will be watching us play in it." NC State lost three key cogs from last year's squad that finished 16‑16 overall and 5‑15 in the ACC. Middle blocker/ outside hitter Megan Cormier and setter Tanna Aljoe have exhausted their eligibil‑ ity, while middle blocker Blayke Hranicka transferred to Illinois after her freshman year. Replacing Hranicka, in particular, will be crucial, due to her leading the team with 409.5 points. Senior setter Maggie Speaks, senior libero Rachel Eppley and juniors Perry Ramsey, Kaitlyn Kearney, Julia Brown and Emily Harris are back with plenty of start‑ ing experience. Ramsey and Brown return at outside hitter, Kearney at middle blocker and Harris at defensive specialist/libero. "I've been lucky to walk into a team that has a lot of talent and a lot of drive to be better," Hampton‑Keith said. "This team is hungry and wants to be successful, but more importantly are willing to do what‑ ever it takes to be successful." Hampton‑Keith wants to emphasize the athleticism of this year's group, but knows her squad isn't the tallest one in the ACC. "We don't have a ton of size, but we do have speed," Hampton‑Keith said. "We are going to focus on a style of play that really enhances the speed and athleticism that we have. That will be exciting to watch for fans." Three of the four class of 2016 signees THE WOLFPACKER • PO BOX 2331 • DURHAM, NC 27702 1-800-421-7751 • www.TheWolfpackerOnline.com NEW! #2362 Leather Rucksack $249 + $20 S&H #2363 Leather Briefcase (Available in Black or Brown) $249 + $20 S&H #2364 Two-Tone Tote $178 + $20 S&H #2360 Leather Duffel $279 + $20 S&H #2361 Large Leather Duffel $329 + $20 S&H Items are shipped direct from manufacturer. Returns not related to damage may be subject to a 15% restocking fee. Delivery area limited to continental U.S. Please add sales tax if shipping to: NC (7.5%), MI (6%) or IN (7%), #2362 Rucksack #2363 Briefcase (Black or Brown) #2361 Large Duffel #2360 Duffel #2364 Two-Tone Tote Quality Westbridge Leather With Hand-Embossed Logo Three Players To Watch Junior middle blocker Kaitlyn Kearney Kearney was second on the team with 382 points and 302 kills, and led the Wolfpack with 149 blocks. The 6-2 native of Frisco, Texas, started all 32 matches and reached 10-plus kills in 14, including a career-high 19 against Tulane. She earned all-tourna - ment honors at the Allstate Sugar Bowl Collegiate Classic. Her 1.26 blocks per set ranked sixth in the ACC and 43rd in the NCAA. Junior outside hitter Perry Ramsey The 6-0 Chapel Hill (N.C.) High product finished third on the team in both kills (300) and points (350), and fourth in blocks (67) last year. She was one of two Wolfpack players to appear in all 119 sets played, and started 31 of the team's 32 con - tests. She posted double-digit kills in 14 matches, including a season-high 17 against Florida State. Senior setter Maggie Speaks The 5-10 setter from Camden, S.C., led NC State with 1,061 assists and was second on the team with 190 digs. She added 89 blocks, which was third on the squad, and chipped in 108 kills en route to 179.5 points. Speaks started 28 matches and recorded 40 or more assists 12 times. She had a career-high 16 digs against Wake Forest and personal-best 58 assists against Florida. She ranked fifth in the ACC with 10.29 assists per match.