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University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
Texas A&M
Texas A&M Outlasts UNC 3-2
September 4, 2010 | Volleyball
Sept. 4, 2010
SPRINGFIELD, MO. -- Texas A&M rallied to win the final two sets defeating North Carolina 3-2 (25-21, 22-25, 25-22, 20-25, 12-15) in Carolina's third match of the JQH Invitational Saturday afternoon at the Hammons Student Center. Carolina falls to 4-2 on the year with the loss and Texas A&M improves to 3-3.
Setter Erica Behm posted her second consecutive double-double to lead Carolina. Behm earned 26 assists and 13 digs, with Suzanne Haydel leading the Tar Heel attack with 15 kills and adding13 digs. Christine Vaughen added 14 kills and a .560 hitting percentage, while libero Kaylie Gibson notched 24 digs to pace UNC defensively.
The Tar Heels gained their first lead at 15-14 in the first frame and carried that momentum to claim set one 25-21. Carolina hit at a .333 clip and added a pair of blocks to the Aggies .222 hitting percentage and zero blocks. Heather Henry led the UNC attack with five kills and a .444 hitting percentage.
The Aggies responded to take set two 25-22 behind a 17 kill attack. Carolina suffered from just nine kills and a .119 hitting percentage. Texas A&M out-blocked the Tar Heels three to zero to even the match at one set apiece.
The Tar Heels refocused in the third set jumping out to a 9-3 lead. The Aggies rallied back to cut the Tar Heel lead to one at 21-20. Carolina held on to claim set three 25-22 behind a pair of huge blocks from Henry and Shelbey Bleke. UNC notched a match-best .400 hitting percentage led by Haydel's five kills to zero errors.
The Aggies battled back to knot the score at two, winning the fourth frame 25-20. Carolina posted a lowly .085 hitting percentage and hit into five Aggie blocks. Texas A&M led by as many as four paced by five Elise Hendrickson kills to force a fifth and final set.
Texas A&M carried their momentum into the fifth frame to win the set 15-12 and match 3-2. Trailing 12-7 Carolina rushed back to slice the Aggie lead at one behind some huge Haydel kills. The rally fell short as A&M closed out the frame with a Lindsey Miller kill.
The five-set match was Carolina's first of 2010, the Tar Heels played 10 five-set matches a year ago posting a 4-6 record.
Carolina will conclude the JQH Invitational with their fourth game against host Missouri State Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. CST from Hammons Student Center.
