University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
Wake Forest
Tar Heels Down Demon Deacons
October 18, 2009 | Volleyball
Oct. 18, 2009
Head Coach Joe Sagula on the win over Wake Forest
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - The University of North Carolina volleyball team extended their winning streak to three games Sunday defeating Wake Forest with set scores 25-21, 25-16, 21-25 and 25-20. Carolina improves to 10-9 overall and 6-2 in league play, while Wake Forest falls to 7-13 overall and 5-4 in the ACC. The Tar Heels post an above .500 winning percentage for the first time in over a month.
The Heels were led by Ingrid Hanson-Tuntland's 14 kills and two blocks. Suzanne Haydel added 10 kills and 14 digs for her second straight double-double performance. Freshman setter Cora Harms registered 42 assists and has posted 30 or more assists in every ACC contest. Defensively libero Kaylie Gibson led the way with 27 digs while Heather Brooks notched six blocks. Carolina posted a .186 hitting percentage in the match compared to the Demon Deacons .127 clip.
Wake Forest opened the match with a 6-3 lead led by Kadija Fornah. Trailing 14-10, Carolina uncorked a 5-0 run to push in front 15-14 forcing a Demon Deacon timeout. The run was sparked by a big Suzanne Haydel dig that led to a timely setter dump from Cora Harms. The Tar Heels continued to stretch their run behind a pair of Branagan Fuller kills to win the set 25-21. Carolina was paced defensively by Kaylie Gibson's 10 digs and two team blocks. Fuller notched six of the Heels' 14 kills in set one serviced by Cora Harms 13 assists.
Carolina carried their momentum into the second set jumping out to a quick 8-4 lead before a Wake Forest timeout. The Tar Heels continued to cruise in the second frame leading 17-10 before a short Demon Deacon run cut it to as close as four. The Tar Heels finally took the second set 25-16 behind a modest .150 hitting percentage holding the Demon Deacons to a -.053 clip.
The third set proved to be more competitive as Wake Forest claimed their first set of the match 25-21. The Demon Deacons notched a .250 hitting percentage compared to the Heels' .100 clip, their lowest through three frames. A 4-0 Wake run when the match was knotted at 19 gave the Deacons the momentum to take set three. The Tar Heels' 45% sideout percentage in set three was also their lowest percentage in the match.
Wake Forest continued to stay loose in the fourth frame using a 4-0 run to knot the score at seven. The 4-0 run manifested into a 8-1 run forcing a Carolina timeout as the Demon Deacons posted a .444 hitting percentage early in the set. Carolina stormed back to tie the score at 15 forcing a Demon Deacon timeout. Carolina hit their stride behind some timely blocks as Aleksandra Georgieva sealed the win with a service ace, set 25-20 and match 3-1.
Carolina improves to 34-12 all-time against Wake Forest, including 4-1 in the last five meetings. The Tar Heels last defeated Wake Forest November 16, 2008 3-0 in Chapel Hill. The Tar Heels look to continue their win streak next weekend traveling to Miami Friday and Florida State Sunday in a pivotal weekend in the ACC.
