University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
Wake Forest
Demon Deacons Dunk Heels 3-2
November 20, 2009 | Volleyball
Nov. 20, 2009
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - Wake Forest and North Carolina gave all 1250 fans in Reynolds Gymnasium a show Friday night, as the Tar Heels fell to the Demon Deacons 3-2 with set scores 25-22, 18-25, 19-25, 25-23 and 14-16. Carolina falls to 15-14 overall and 11-7 in league play, while Wake Forest improves to 10-19 overall and 8-10 in the ACC. Carolina's Emily McGee led the way uncorking a career-best 21 kills in the match. Four Tar Heels were in double-digit digs led by libero Kaylie Gibson's 18. Ingrid Hanson-Tuntland also registered nine blocks, including four solos, and 12 kills. The nine blocks were one shy of her career high. Hanson-Tuntland almost willed Carolina to victory notching four block assists and one block solo in the fifth frame. The Tar Heels were missing freshman setter Cora Harms due to an ankle sprain Friday night.
Neither team could command an early lead in the opening frame as each squad committed a variety of errors. With the score knotted at seven, Ingrid Hanson-Tuntland unleashed a big solo block to spark the Heels. Hanson-Tuntland then delivered a kill followed by a powerful Emily McGee attack to push Carolina in front 10-7 and force a Wake Forest timeout. The Demon Deacons battled back with a few block assists to cut the Tar Heel lead to one at 14-13. Wake took a marathon point to inch closer and eventually tie the score at 18 leading to a Carolina timeout. The Tar Heels held off a Demon Deacon rally to win the pivotal set 25-22. Carolina posted a .225 hitting percentage, while limiting Wake Forest to only a .150 clip.
The second set was extremely competitive early featuring four tie scores and three lead changes before point 10. Branagan Fuller helped keep the Heels afloat early registering three quick kills. Wake Forest opened their biggest lead of the match at 13-9 forcing a Carolina timeout. The Tar Heels continued to struggle as Wake unloaded a 17-12 score leading to yet another Carolina timeout. The Tar Heels battled back winning a marathon point as libero Kaylie Gibson tracked down an unbelievable ball leading to a Wake Forest attack error. The Demon Deacons proved too much though winning the second frame 25-18. Wake Forest shelled out an astounding .424 hitting percentage in the second set as Carolina was led by five kills apiece from Fuller and McGee.
The start of the third set was marred by service errors on each side. The Demon Deacons took advantage of a few Carolina errors darting out to a 9-4 forcing a Tar Heel timeout. Wake Forest continued to apply pressure opening a sizable 14-6 behind a few blocks. The Tar Heels battled back to slice the Wake lead to five at 19-14 leading to a Wake Forest timeout. Carolina cut the lead to as short as three, but Wake Forest pulled out the set win 25-19. Carolina posted a lowly .108 hitting percentage in the third, while Wake Forest notched a modest .273 clip.
Both teams continue to battle into the fourth set as Wake Forest opened an early 7-6 lead in the fourth set. Aleksandra Georgieva supplemented Erica Behm at setter in the fourth as Carolina and Wake were neck-and-neck the entire frame. Carolina pushed in front 17-16 after a Wake Forest attack error leading to a Demon Deacon timeout. Suzanne Haydel added a lift off the bench as Carolina finally found some breathing room opening a 21-17 score. The Demon Deacons stormed back to cut the Carolina lead to one at 22-21. Wake Forest knotted the score at 22, but Carolina responded with a big big block assist from Heather Brooks and Courtney Johnston and then took the frame on a Demon Deacon service error 25-23.
Wake Forest stormed out to a 5-1 lead to start the fifth and final frame. The Demon Deacons continued to roll opening a 7-2 lead forcing a Carolina timeout. Carolina unleashed a 7-0 run to push in front 10-9 behind four-straight blocks as Hanson-Tuntland got a hand on every ball. Carolina's run erupted to a 9-0, but Wake countered with a 4-0 run to lead 13-12. Both teams continued to battle until Wake finally took the set 16-14 and match 3-2.
Carolina falls to 34-13 all-time against Wake Forest, including 1-1 this season. Carolina will have a quick turnaround challenging Duke tomorrow night at 7:30 p.m. in Durham, N.C.
