University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
Florida State
Seminoles Stymie Tar Heels 3-1
October 25, 2009 | Volleyball
Oct. 25, 2009
TALLAHASSEE, FLA. - The University of North Carolina volleyball team fell to #17 Florida State Sunday at Tully Gymnasium 3-1 with set scores 18-25, 25-23, 19-25 and 15-25. Carolina drops to 11-10 overall and 7-3 in league play as Florida State improves to 19-2 overall and 10-1 in league play to lead the ACC. The loss snaps Carolina's four-game win streak.
Carolina was led offensively by Branagan Fuller with 11 kills, middle blockers Heather Brooks and Ingrid Hanson-Tuntland each added 10 kills for the Heels. Courtney Johnston also chipped in nine kills as the Heels posted a .111 hitting percentage in the match serviced by Cora Harms 34 assists. Defensively Kaylie Gibson paced the Tar Heels with 20 digs, while Johnston and Fuller each pitched in nine digs. The Tar Heels were devoid of outside hitters Emily McGee and Suzanne Haydel, who did not travel to Florida due to illness.
The opening set started in the Tar Heels' favor as they opened an early 5-3 lead. The Seminoles quickly responded with a pair of blocks to open a 6-0 run and 9-5 lead forcing a Carolina timeout. Carolina battled back and used a 4-0 run behind Branagan Fuller serves to slice the Seminole lead to 14-12. The Seminoles continued to apply pressure opening a 19-14 lead after a service ace leading to a timely Joe Sagula timeout. The first frame included a few marathon points before the Seminoles claimed set one 25-18. Florida State notched a .312 hitting percentage in the first set compared to the Heels' .071 clip.
The Tar Heels looked sharp at the beginning of the second set again opening a early 5-3 lead. The lead was again short-lived as a 4-0 Seminole run pushed Florida State in front 7-5. With the score knotted at eight, a wild ninth point ensued after a Heather Brooks block hit the head of a Seminole played then traveled over the net for a Florida State point. Carolina opened their biggest lead at 16-13, but Florida State fought back to cut the lead to 18-17. A Megan Owens and Brooks kill pushed the Heels back in front 20-17 forcing a Florida State timeout. Carolina continued to build their lead before finally taking the second frame 25-23 to knot the match score at one apiece. Carolina posted a .219 hitting percentage in the second, limiting the Seminoles to only a .194 clip.
Carolina once again began a set in solid fashion, opening an early 6-3 lead. The Seminoles responded with a 4-0 run to push in front 7-6. Carolina answered with a 5-1 run of their own to open an 11-8 lead, which forced a Seminole timeout. Behind a pair of blocks, Carolina uncorked their biggest lead of the frame at 16-11. Florida State then answered with a 7-1 run to push in front 18-17 forcing a Carolina timeout. The run erupted into a 14-3 run Seminole finish as Florida State took the third frame 25-19. Carolina posted a .000 hitting percentage with 10 kills and 10 errors, as the Seminoles notched a .211 percentage.
The fourth set featured three scores early before Florida State was able to command a lead at 12-8. Carolina battled back, but Florida State proved to be too much opening their biggest lead of the match at 4-1. The Seminoles maintained their lead eventually claiming the set 25-15 and match 3-1. Florida State notched a .457 hitting percentage in the fourth frame.
Carolina's last win over a ranked opponent came against then No.8 Minnesota September 21, 2008. Sunday's meeting between the two teams will be their only meeting this season. North Carolina falls to 19-31 all-time against Florida State, including 1-4 in the last five meetings. Carolina will return home next weekend playing Georgia Tech Friday at 7:00 p.m. and Clemson Saturday at 4:00 p.m.
