The Wolfpack Invitational in Raleigh, North Carolina, kicked off with a high-energy clash between the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers and the Cleveland State Vikings on September 12, 2025. Volleyball fans at Reynolds Coliseum were treated to a match brimming with momentum swings, breakout performances, and the kind of tenacity that makes early-season tournaments so compelling. In the end, Coastal Carolina extended its winning streak to four matches, downing Cleveland State 3-1 with set scores of 25-15, 19-25, 25-19, and 25-17.
The opening set saw Coastal Carolina come out firing, quickly establishing a 6-1 lead thanks to a trio of kills from junior Jalyn Stout. Cleveland State responded with three straight points to close the gap to 6-4, but a flurry of Viking attack errors allowed the Chanticleers to ignite a 17-9 surge, ballooning their advantage to 23-13. That cushion proved insurmountable, and Coastal closed out the set 25-15, setting the tone early.
But the Vikings weren’t about to go quietly. In the second set, Cleveland State flipped the script, racing out to a 6-1 lead of their own. The Chanticleers, however, battled back, knotting the score at 14-all after a key block assist from Emily Fowler and Anzley Rinard. The Vikings dug deep, ending the set on an 11-5 run to secure a 25-19 victory and level the match at one set apiece. Freshman Bryn VanVleet was pivotal during this stretch, notching several of her team-high 22 kills—her first 20-kill match of the season. As the Vikings’ offense clicked, Laken Voss chipped in with 10 kills, while Isabella Gibbons orchestrated the attack, recording her second double-double of the season with 34 assists and 10 digs.
“We knew coming in that Coastal Carolina was on a hot streak, but we focused on our side of the net and executed our game plan,” said Gibbons after the match, reflecting on the Vikings’ resilient second set.
Set three proved decisive. Coastal Carolina, showing the poise that has defined its early-season run, stayed neck-and-neck with Cleveland State until the closing moments. With the score tight, the Chanticleers rattled off the final seven points of the set. Stout contributed two crucial kills, Rinard added another, and Anna Rita teamed up with Rinard for a timely block. Four Viking errors during this stretch sealed the 25-19 win for Coastal, putting them up 2-1 in sets.
The fourth set began evenly, with the teams deadlocked at 3-all. But then the Chanticleers found another gear, outscoring the Vikings 18-7 in a dominant stretch that saw them surge ahead 21-10. Stout was again at the heart of the action, scoring four of Coastal’s final eight points, including a kill that capped a 4-0 run and doubled their lead at 18-9. The Vikings, despite spirited defense from libero Vayda Delventhal—who finished with a career-best 24 digs—couldn’t close the gap. Coastal Carolina clinched the match with a 25-17 fourth-set triumph.
Stout’s performance was nothing short of spectacular. She posted her second triple-double of the season and the 36th of her career, tallying 18 kills, 14 assists, and 17 digs. She also matched her season-high for blocks with seven and extended her double-double streak to 27 matches. “It feels great to help the team keep this streak going,” Stout said. “We’re playing with a lot of confidence right now, and everyone is contributing.”
Junior setter Ava Wallis was another standout for the Chanticleers, logging her third double-double of the year with a season-high 26 assists and 10 digs, just three shy of her career-best. Anna Rita provided a wall at the net, racking up a season-best 10 blocks—her second career double-figure block performance. Bailee Earnhardt and Becca Micelle anchored the back row, each collecting double-digit digs, marking the third straight match for Earnhardt and the third time this season for Micelle.
For Cleveland State, the loss drops them to 0-7 on the season, but there were plenty of positives to build on. VanVleet’s breakout 22-kill performance signals a new offensive weapon for the Vikings, while Gibbons’ steady hands and Delventhal’s defensive prowess offer hope for more competitive outings ahead. Voss not only contributed offensively but also added nine digs, and Reilly Wadden chipped in with eight. At the net, JeriLynn Koehler and Julia Jozefov each recorded three blocks, while Matilda Dahlstrom and Gibbons both posted two.
“Bryn really stepped up for us today,” said Vikings head coach, praising the freshman’s effort. “We’re a young team, and every match is a chance to grow. We’ll take the lessons from today and look to bounce back tomorrow.” The Vikings will continue their tournament run against host NC State on September 13 at 5:00 p.m. Fans will be eager to see if Cleveland State can turn the page and notch their first win of the season.
As for Coastal Carolina, the victory pushes their record to 5-2, marking their best start since the 2021 campaign. The Chanticleers’ four-game winning streak is their longest since a 13-match run in Sun Belt Conference play last season and their first four-game non-conference streak since 2021. They’ve also maintained a perfect 4-0 record against non-Power 4 opponents this season, a testament to their consistency and depth.
Next up for the Chanticleers is a Saturday afternoon showdown against Utah Valley, scheduled for 1 p.m. at Reynolds Coliseum. With momentum firmly on their side and several players in peak form, Coastal Carolina will look to extend their hot streak and continue making noise in the early going of the 2025 volleyball season.
The Wolfpack Invitational continues to deliver compelling volleyball action, with both teams eager to write the next chapter of their respective seasons. Whether it’s Cleveland State searching for a breakthrough win or Coastal Carolina aiming to keep their streak alive, one thing’s for sure: the drama is far from over in Raleigh.
