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University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
Virginia Tech
UNC 3 Virginia Tech 0
October 13, 2011 | Volleyball
Oct. 13, 2011
Sagula Postgame Podcast (mp3) | Season Statistics
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - North Carolina defeated Virginia Tech in straight sets, 3-0 (25-22, 25-14, 25-17) from Carmichael Arena. Junior outside hitter Emily McGee (11 kills) and senior middle blocker Shelbey Bleke (10 kills) led the UNC offense, while senior libero Kaylie Gibson paced the defense with 16 digs.
"I'm really delighted that we were able to win a match like this against a really solid team," said head coach Joe Sagula. "I think Virginia Tech has a lot of size, physical capability and experience. So to win a three-set match is great. That has been one of our goals this year, to play well for three straight sets, especially against a good opponent and I thought we did that tonight."
The opening set was close, featuring six tie scores but only one lead change. It was back and forth in the early going, before the Tar Heels took the lead (10-9) on an attack error by Virginia Tech's Justine Record, which they would never relinquish. UNC proceeded to go on a 10-4 run from there, opening up a seven-point advantage (20-13). Carolina closed out the first set (25-22) on a ball-handling error by the Hokies' Jordan Fish. Middle blocker Tia Gaffen tallied four kills on six swings and only one error in set one for a .500 attack percentage.
Bleke came up big in the second set, posting five kills with a .333 hitting percentage and two blocks to lead the Tar Heels to a 25-14 victory. Leading the Hokies by one (7-6), UNC won eight of the next nine points to open up an eight-point advantage (15-7), forcing Virginia Tech to call timeout. Bleke unleashed a kill out of the timeout and Gibson followed with a service ace to give Carolina its largest lead of the match (17-7). UNC later captured set point on a kill by junior Kayla Berringer, assisted by Erica Behm.
The Tar Heels led throughout the final frame, winning the third set (25-17). UNC compiled a match-high .316 attack efficiency in set three. The Hokies trailed by five (13-9) before battling back to pare the Carolina advantage to one (17-16) on a service ace by Victoria Hamsher. The Tar Heels finished off the period on an 8-1 run, capturing match point on an attack error by Virginia Tech's Samantha Gostling.
Carolina returns to action in less than 24 hours as it hosts Virginia in the Dean E. Smith Center Friday, Oct. 14, at 5 p.m. Late Night with Roy Williams will follow the match with the Cavaliers. The doors open at 4 p.m. and admission to the match is free.
