University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
Villanova
Tar Heels Handle Villanova 3-0
August 28, 2010 | Volleyball
Aug. 28, 2010
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- Courtney Johnston recorded 17 kills while Cora Harms registered 26 assists and 12 digs to lead North Carolina to a 3-0 (25-19, 25-16, 25-27) victory over Villanova Saturday night at Carmichael Arena. With the victory, Carolina improves to 2-1 on the season and the Wildcats dropped to 1-2.
Leading the offensive effort for the Tar Heels were Johnston, who notched a .500 hitting percentage for the match, and Emily McGee, who logged 11 kills. Kaylie Gibson (15 digs) and Suzanne Haydel (11) keyed the defensive effort for Carolina while Johnston and Christine Vaughen both had four block assists.
"I thought the pivotal point in the match was in the second set with our 9-0 run," said head coach Joe Sagula. "We really pushed in front with solid serves, good defensive and effective offense."
The Tar Heels finished the first frame with a 11-5 run to claim set one 25-19. Carolina possessed a balanced attack with four different players posting three or more kills. Johnston and McGee mashed four kills apiece to lead UNC.
Carolina closed out the second set in dominant fashion using a 9-0 run to win set two 25-16. Johnston mashed six kills in the frame, including three down the stretch, to help push the Tar Heels in front 2-0.
The third set followed the same pattern, as Carolina finished the match on a 9-2 run to close out the Wildcats 25-17. Johnston recorded seven kills in the final frame while hitting at a .778 clip. Harms had 13 of her assists in the set, leading a Carolina attack that hit .419 as a team.
The Tar Heels finished second in the 2010 Carolina Classic to tournament champions Penn State (3-0). Every match of the 2010 Carolina Classic ended with a 3-0 result.
Carolina returns to action next weekend playing four games over Sept. 3-4 at the Missouri State Tournament.
Carolina Classic All-Tournament Team
MVP - Blair Brown, Penn State
1. Deja McClendon, Penn State
2. Alyssa D'Errico, Penn State
3. Jordan Reeves, Campbell
4. Courtney Johnston, UNC
5. Cora Harms, UNC
6. Kim Maroon, Villanova
