University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
Marshall
Carolina Falls To Marshall 3-0
September 12, 2009 | Volleyball
Sept. 12, 2009
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - North Carolina lost to Marshall 3-0 dropping each set 25-21 to the Thundering Herd in game three of the Carolina Classic. Freshman Emily McGee posted nine kills to lead the Heels, who only hit .160 for the match. The Thundering Herd notched 47 kills and a .287 hitting percentage winning their tenth match of the season. Carolina's winning streak ends at three games and is now 4-4 on the year. Marshall improves to 10-1 after their biggest win of the season.
The Tar Heels got off to a sluggish start in the opening set. Marshall vaulted out to a quick 12-7 lead before a much needed Carolina timeout. The Thundering Herd then went on a 7-1 run to extend the lead to 19-8 before Carolina finally found some offense. Shelbey Bleke and Emily McGee added kills to slice the lead to five at 23-18. Ingrid Hanson-Tuntland added three kills, but the Thundering Herd was able to claim the set 25-21. Marshall notched four serve aces in the first frame.
Carolina opened the second set in strong fashion jumping out to an 8-5 lead. The Tar Heel lead was short lived as the Thundering Herd stormed back to push out in front of the Heels 11-9. The Tar Heels battled back behind a pair of block assists from Bleke and Courtney Johnston. A Megan Owens kill cut the lead to three, but Marshall proved to be too strong winning the second set 25-21. The Thundering Herd hit .333 in the second frame as Carolina struggled hitting .177 in the first two frames.
Marshall continued to punish the Heels flying out to 10-3 lead in the third frame. Carolina stormed back to go on an 8-1 cutting the lead to 12-11 behind a Heather Brooks and Johnston block. The Heels continued to battle back cutting the Thundering Herd to one on multiple occasions, before a timely Joe Sagula timeout down 21-18. Branagan Fuller added a pair of kills, but the Thundering Herd was too much winning the set 25-21 and match 3-0.
This morning's match against Marshall was the first meeting between the two schools. Carolina is now 0-1 all-time against Marshall. Carolina returns to action later tonight against Colorado State at 7:30 p.m. to round out the Carolina Classic.
