RALEIGH, N.C. -- The flight home was jubilant. It had been maybe 90 minutes since NC State had, at long last, earned a signature victory over Florida State when the pilot's voice crackled through the speakers to congratulate the team on "a special win," and a thunder of applause roared through the plane.
The school's athletics director, Debbie Yow, turned back to watch. It's a moment that's stuck with her. Players texted friends and laughed with each other. Coaches looked relaxed, the burdens of the ACC Atlantic Division lifted, at least for a bit.