North Carolina
Maryland
Tar Heels Top Terrapins 3-1
September 24, 2010 | Volleyball
Sept. 24, 2010
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- Courtney Johnston matched a career-best with 18 kills to lead North Carolina over Maryland 3-1 (23-25, 25-12, 25-13, 27-25) Friday night at Carmichael Arena. Emily McGee, Christine Vaughen and Suzanne Haydel all added double-digit kill performances to improve Carolina to 11-4 overall and 2-0 in the ACC. With the win, Carolina stretches their win streak to a season-best seven matches.
Cora Harms was electric fueling a balanced attack with season-high 46 assists and 10 digs, good for her team-leading seventh double-double of the season. Johnston led the dynamic Tar Heel attack with 18 kills, which matches her career-best from 2008. Vaughen added 13 kills, four blocks and a .545 hitting percentage.
McGee posted 15 kills and 11 digs en route to her second consecutive double-double. Haydel registered 10 kills, 10 digs and three blocks. Libero Kaylie Gibson posted a match-high 25 digs.
"I thought it was a significant match for us," said head coach Joe Sagula. "Maryland played tough, but to come from behind and win the next three is huge. I thought after the first game our serve receive and defense were phenomenal."
Maryland claimed the first set by the narrow margin of 25-23 behind a .310 hitting percentage. The two teams traded points and neither team owned a lead larger than three. Carolina hit into five Terrapin blocks and posted just a .196 hitting percentage. The Tar Heels were led by seven Johnston kills in the competitive first frame.
Carolina awoke in the second set opening a 10-0 run to fly in front 15-5 and never look back winning 25-12. The Tar Heels held the Terrapins to just a -.057 hitting percentage forcing eight attack errors. Vaughen, Haydel and Shelbey Bleke combined for eight kills and zero errors to lead UNC. The 13-point margin of victory is Carolina's largest in a set this season.
The Tar Heels carried that momentum into the third frame defeating the Terrapins 25-13 behind a match-high .471 hitting percentage. The senior class of Haydel, Johnston and Vaughen combined for 13 kills to zero errors to anchor the powerful UNC attack. Carolina used an 11-2 spurt to jump ahead of the Terrapins and own a 2-1 match lead.
The fourth and final set featured 12 tie scores and two lead changes. Maryland led by as many as four early, but the Tar Heels battled back to knot the score at 18. Three McGee kills down the stretch launched Carolina to a dramatic 27-25 set win and 3-1 match victory. The Naperville, Ill., product uncorked seven kills in the final frame to post her third straight match with a double-digit kill output.
Carolina returns to action Saturday evening at 5 p.m. hosting Boston College from Carmichael Arena.
