University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
California
Carolina Falls to Cal 3-0
December 4, 2010 | Volleyball
Dec. 4, 2010
ERKELEY, CALIF. -- Cal cranked a .376 hitting percentage to defeat North Carolina 3-0 Saturday night at Haas Pavilion in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Suzanne Haydel and Emily McGee each posted 11 kills as Carolina concludes the 2010 season 25-10. The 25 wins are the most UNC has registered since 2002.
Haydel added eight digs and a .276 hitting percentage. Aleksandra Georgieva notched four serve aces. Cora Harms added 15 assists and Kaylie Gibson reeled in 10 digs.
"We are disappointed to finish our season with a loss, but Cal is a great team and we have to give them credit," said head coach Joe Sagula. "We were not as sharp as we needed to be. We made some efforts and never gave up."
Cal launched a .483 hitting percentage to claim set one 25-13. The Tar Heels jumped out to a 2-0 lead behind two Georgieva serve aces. The Golden Bears found some breathing room with a 5-0 run in the middle of the frame to fly in front 17-8. Cal cranked 15 kills to just one error to own a 1-0 match lead.
The Golden Bears again proved too much winning the second frame 25-18. Carolina manufactured a 5-0 run early to own a 9-6 lead over Cal. The Golden Bears answered with a 9-1 spurt to lead 14-10. McGee and Haydel combined for 11 kills to keep Carolina afloat, but Cal uncorked a .438 hitting percentage in set two.
Cal carried their momentum from the first two frames jumping out to a 12-3 lead in the third. Carolina battled back to slice the Golden Bear lead to six at 14-8, but Cal flew back in front 21-12. The Tar Heels posted one last run cutting the Cal lead to 23-18, but the Golden Bears prevailed 25-18 in the set and 3-0 in the match.
The Tar Heels finish their 12th NCAA appearance with 25 wins, the most since a 32-4 mark in 2002.
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