University of North Carolina Athletics
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Florida State
Florida State Outlasts Carolina 3-2
November 12, 2010 | Volleyball
Nov. 12, 2010
TALLAHASSEE, FLA. -- Florida State outlasted North Carolina 3-2 (18-25, 20-25, 25-21, 25-18, 12-15) Friday night at Tully Gymnasium. Sophomore Cora Harms posted a season-best 48 assists and 17 digs as UNC falls to 21-8 overall and 12-4 in the ACC.
Courtney Johnston and Emily McGee each posted 14 kills apiece to lead UNC offensively. Christine Vaughen added 12 kills and three blocks. Suzanne Haydel chipped in eight kills and nine digs.
"I am very proud of the way we fought back in this match," said head coach Joe Sagula. "Our team showed a lot of perseverance and we need to use this match as a learning tool moving forward."
The Tar Heels posted a season-best 10 serve aces led by Aleksandra Georgieva's career-high of three. ACC leading libero Kaylie Gibson reeled in 27 digs. Shelbey Bleke posted eight kills and four blocks.
"It was a serve and pass match," Sagula added. "Florida State was very sound early and we picked it up late. Aleksandra Georgieva provided a boost off the bench not only serving, but passing as well."
Harms posted her team-leading 12th double-double with season-highs of 48 assists and 17 digs. McGee also added a double-double, her ninth of 2010, with 13 digs.
Florida State built an early double-digit lead to claim set one 25-18. The Seminoles led 15-5 forcing a quick UNC timeout. Carolina crawled back within four at 21-17, but the Seminoles prevailed to own a 1-0 match lead. Johnston cranked four of the Tar Heels' 12 kills in the first. Harms was everywhere in the opening frame collecting nine assists, four digs and three kills.
The Seminoles used a 6-0 run to end the second frame with a 25-21 victory. The Tar Heels jumped out to a four-point lead early behind kills from Bleke and McGee. The two teams traded points in the middle of the set and Florida State took a 19-17 lead. UNC jumped back in front 20-19, but six unanswered Seminole points allowed FSU to own a 2-0 match lead.
Johnston ripped four kills and Gibson added 11 digs to lead UNC to a 25-21 set three victory. The Tar Heels recorded a .268 hitting percentage behind 14 kills to just three errors. Georgieva served three aces and Haydel added one to provide some quick points for Carolina. The Tar Heels trailed 2-1 in the match entering the fourth frame.
Carolina carried their momentum to claim the fourth frame 25-18. The Tar Heels again stymied the Seminoles with their serves, recording three aces in the fourth. McGee and Vaughen combined for six kills to lead UNC offensively. The Tar Heels limited Florida State to just a .100 hitting percentage to force a fifth and final frame.
The final set featured seven tie scores and three lead changes before the Seminoles squeaked out a 15-12 win. A Seminole serve ace sealed the dramatic 3-2 match win. Carolina posted a match-high .350 hitting percentage in the final frame.
In their last two meetings, Florida State and North Carolina have now played in consecutive five-set matches. UNC claimed a 3-2 win over then No. 14 Florida State Sept. 30 and the Seminoles prevailed today. Carolina falls to 1-2 in five set matches in 2010.
The Tar Heels will conclude their final ACC road trip challenging Miami Sunday at 1 p.m. in Coral Gables, Fla.
