University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
Georgia Tech
Tar Heels Down Yellow Jackets
November 11, 2011 | Volleyball
Nov. 11, 2011
Season Statistics | Vote Gibson for Lowe's Senior CLASS Award
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- North Carolina defeated Georgia Tech, 3-1 (25-13, 25-23, 24-26, 25-20) before 1,735 fans at Carmichael Arena. Junior outside hitter Emily McGee posted her 11th double double in UNC's past 13 matches with 13 kills and 11 digs. Kaylie Gibson pitched in 18 digs to pace the defense.
"Obviously, a great match for our team," said head coach Joe Sagula. "We came out real strong tonight, we really wanted to get off to a good start. And I felt like that set the tone for us throughout the match.
"I'm just really proud of how we came back after losing the third set. Georgia Tech is a really solid team with some athletic players. That we were able to hold them up and win in four, is a testament to how well we can play."
Carolina raced out to a 12-4 lead in the opening set, capped by two attack errors by Georgia Tech's Monique Mead and a kill by Cameron Van Noy. The Tar Heels continued to roll, leading by as many 11 (21-10), before cruising to a 25-13 first-set victory. UNC captured set point on a kill by Van Noy, assisted by Erica Behm. McGee tallied three kills on four swings with no errors in set one for a .750 attack percentage.
The second frame was much closer than the first, as the Tar Heels only led by two (16-14) after a kill by Tech's Ivona Kolak. From there, UNC went on a 5-2 run to stretch their lead to five at 21-16, featuring consecutive McGee kills. The Ramblin' Wreck rallied to cut the deficit to two again (24-22), but Carolina finished off the Jackets (25-23) on a kill by Chaniel Nelson, assisted by Behm.
The Yellow Jackets found their rhythm after intermission, hitting .273 to take the third set in extra points (26-24). The Tar Heel held a three-point lead late in the frame following an attack error by Tech's Quinn Evans, but the Jackets battled back to knot the score (23-23) after a kill by Kaleigh Colson. Georgia Tech grabbed set point on a kill by Jennifer Percy.
Carolina ran out to an early four-point advantage (11-7) in set four, capped by a Nelson kill, assisted by Behm. The Yellow Jackets came back to pare the Tar Heels lead down to one (13-12) after a kill by Kolak. UNC responded with a 6-2 spurt, expanding its lead to five at 19-14, capped by a kill by Kayla Berringer. Carolina closed out set four (25-20) and the match on a kill by Heather Henry. Henry registered three kills on five swings and only one error in set four for a .400 hitting efficiency.
Carolina is back in action Saturday, Nov. 12, against Clemson at 6 p.m. for Senior Day from Carmichael Arena.
"Senior night is always such a special night," said Sagula. "It's mixed emotions because it's both sad and exciting. But you want to play at your best and send your seniors off with a great message and a great feeling with their last time playing in Carmichael."
