University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
American
Eagles Defeat Heels 3-1
September 20, 2009 | Volleyball
Sept. 20, 2009
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The North Carolina volleyball team dropped its fourth straight match Sunday to the American Eagles 3-1 at Bender Arena. The Heels fall to 4-7 on the year, while the Eagles improve to 4-7. Carolina dropped the first set 25-22, won the second frame 25-15, but dropped the last two 25-21 and 25-23. The Tar Heels were paced by Suzanne Haydel, who posted a career best 20 kills and .500 hitting percentage with eight digs. Ingrid Hanson-Tuntland added 10 kills and Heather Brooks added six blocks in the loss.
The first set featured seven tie scores and four lead changes before the Eagles won 25-22. The score was knotted at 21 when the Eagles took advantage of two Carolina attack errors to claim the set 25-22. The Tar Heels notched 16 kills in the first set, but added 10 attack errors to register an .146 hitting percentage.
Carolina turned out its best effort of the match in the second frame. The Heels won the set 25-15 taking advantage of American's 10 attack errors and -.034 hitting percentage. The Tar Heels led 10-9 then went on a 15-6 run to win the match behind Haydel and Branagan Fuller's attack. Despite winning the set, Carolina only posted six kills in the second frame.
The third set was controlled by American, but Carolina still held a 16-15 lead during the frame. The Eagles responded behind a balanced attack and capitalized on another 10 attack errors from the Tar Heels. American claimed the set 25-21 and a 2-1 lead entering the fourth and final frame.
The fourth set was the most competitive featuring nine tie scores and five lead changes. Carolina led by as much as six points in the fourth frame at 15-9, but the Eagles continued to respond. A 10-4 Eagle run tied the match at 19 before the Eagles won the set and match 25-23. American posted a match-high .268 hitting percentage in the final set.
Freshman Cayla Shortley saw action in her first career match playing in two sets. The loss ends another frustrating weekend for the Heels, who dropped a match Friday at Delaware after winning the first two sets. Carolina is now 9-1 against American. The last meeting between the two teams was in the NCAA tournament last season on Dec. 5, 2008 where the Heels defeated the Eagles 3-0. Carolina opens ACC play next week at Clemson Friday Sept. 25.
