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University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
Miami
UNC Defeats No. 21 Miami, 3-2
October 9, 2011 | Volleyball
Oct. 9, 2011
CHAPEL HILL, N.C.-- North Carolina improved to 3-0 in five-set matches this season, edging No. 21 Miami, 3-2 (31-29, 25-23, 19-25, 25-27, 15-11) Sunday from Carmichael Arena. Kaylie Gibson tallied a season-high 26 digs and Emily McGee registered her fifth-consecutive double-double to lead the Tar Heels.
"That was a really big win," said head coach Joe Sagula. "To beat a team that only had one loss on the year is impressive. To beat them is great because they were coming on strong and they have great athletes. You mentioned Lane Carico, an ACC Player of the Year candidate without question. I'm just real proud of how well we played and came back and stayed aggressive."
Carolina needed extra points to capture the opening set, 31-29. The Tar Heels jumped out to an early 11-7 lead on a kill by McGee, forcing Miami to call timeout. UNC later increased its lead to five (16-11) on a kill from Chaniel Nelson, it's largest lead of the frame. Trailing 24-21, The Hurricanes won three straight points to even the set at 24 and force extra points. Carolina claimed set point on a McGee kill, assisted by Cora Harms.
The Tar Heels posted a .333 attack percentage en route to a 25-23 second-set victory. UNC again, led by as many as five (15-10), and Miami answered with another run. Behind by four (20-16), the Hurricanes took five of the next seven points to pare the Carolina lead to one (22-21). UNC later closed out set two on an attack error by Lane Carico, taking a 2-0 match lead into intermission.
Miami made adjustments and found its stride in the third set and registered a .216 hitting percentage compared to Carolina's .081 to win the frame, 25-19. The Hurricanes' Carico and Ali Becker each recorded five kills to lead Miami.
The Hurricanes continued to build momentum, winning set four in extra points (27-25). Becker and Carico combined for 12 kills in the fourth period, and Miami hit .281. The Tar Heels held a three-point advantage (17-14) before the Hurricanes rallied to knot the score at 18-all on a kill by Becker. Miami eventually closed out the set on a kill from Taylor Collins.
UNC regained its composure to post a .333 attack efficiency to win the deciding frame (15-11) and the match, 3-2. Sophomore outside hitter Kayla Berringer stepped up for the Tar Heels in set five, unleashing five kills on a .444 hitting percentage. Carolina claimed set point on a kill from Berringer, assisted by Harms.
McGee posted her fifth consecutive double-double of the season (23 kills, 21 digs). The junior from Naperville, Ill., has also recorded double-digit kills in 15 of UNC's 18 matches.
Carolina's Kaitlyn Anderson appeared in all five sets and came up big defensively, tallying a career high 21 digs.
The Tar Heels return to action Thursday as they take on the Virginia Tech Hokies from Carmichael Arena at 7 p.m. Admission is free.
