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University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
New Mexico State
Tar Heels Blank New Mexico State 3-0
September 11, 2010 | Volleyball
Sept. 11, 2010
ATON ROUGE, LA. -- Shelbey Bleke uncorked 10 kills to zero errors to lead North Carolina over New Mexico State in straight sets (25-15, 25-17, 25-17) Saturday afternoon in UNC's second match of the LSU Tiger Classic from the Pete Maravich Assembly Center. Carolina hands New Mexico State (6-2) their first loss sweep of the season, improving to 5-4 in 2010.
North Carolina cranked a season-best .400 hitting percentage behind a balanced attack. Courtney Johnston notched nine kills, Suzanne Haydel added eight and 10 digs, and Christine Vaughen and Kayla Berringer each posted eight kills.
In her first career start libero Cayla Shortley posted a career-best 16 digs, eclipsing her old mark of 14. Bleke's 10 kills match a career-best and Berringer's eight are good for a freshman season-high.
"I thought the key to the game was our solid serving that forced New Mexico State out of their system," said head coach Joe Sagula. "Our middles made their presence known today in large part to our effective serving. I thought Suzanne Haydel played a tremendous match and was really effective in all phases of the match."
Carolina was impressive early flying out to a 9-2 lead over the Aggies. The senior duo of Johnston and Haydel allowed the Tar Heels to jump in front. Johnston was extremely effective off the right pin cranking six kills to zero errors. Haydel provided solid all-around play - three kills, a block and pair of digs. UNC led by as many as nine at 19-10 and never looked back claiming set one 25-15.
The Tar Heels controlled the second frame in tune to a 94% sideout percentage to take set two 25-17. UNC used potent hitting from middles Bleke and Vaughen, who combined for seven kills to zero errors. Haydel added four digs and three kills, while libero Shortley reeled in nine digs to anchor the UNC defense.
Carolina hit at match-high .483 clip in the third and final frame to win set three 25-16. The Tar Heels committed only two errors and served well to claim the set victory. Middles Bleke and Vaughen continued to make a difference combining for six kills and three blocks. The Tar Heels nine match blocks are just one shy of their season-best 10.
The Tar Heels wrap up competition in the LSU Tiger Classic with Rice at 5:30 p.m. CST from Pete Maravich Assembly Center.
