University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
Clemson
Carolina Topples Tigers
November 12, 2011 | Volleyball
Nov. 12, 2011
Season Statistics | Vote Gibson for Lowe's Senior CLASS Award
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - North Carolina swept Clemson, 3-0 (25-21, 25-17, 25-22) as the Tar Heels celebrated Senior Night at Carmichael Arena. Four seniors - Erica Behm, Shelbey Bleke, Aleksandra Georgieva and Kaylie Gibson - were honored in pregame ceremonies.
"It was a wonderful victory," said head coach Joe Sagula. "It's such a bittersweet moment. It was so exciting to see how Shelbey Bleke, Aleksandra Georgieva, Erica Behm and Kaylie Gibson played - they all did a really great job to help us win this match tonight. And that was really exciting for me to see.
"For the team to rally and sweep a good Clemson team and then run to congratulate the four seniors after the match, just speaks volumes about what this team is all about. They all care so much for one another and it sets a legacy for what we want to do every year."
Carolina jumped out to an early eight-point lead (10-2) in the opening set, capped by a service ace from Behm. The Tar Heels stretched their lead to as many as 10 (17-7), following an attack error by Clemson's Moneshia Simmons, before closing out the set (25-21) on a kill by Kayla Berringer, assisted by Cora Harms.
UNC again charged out to an early lead in the second frame at 7-3, before the Tigers reeled off four straight points to tie the score at 7-all on an attack error by Chaniel Nelson. The Tar Heels countered with a 6-1 spurt to pull ahead by five (13-8) with a kill from Nelson, assisted by Behm. Clemson later closed to within three (19-16), but Carolina finished off set two (25-17) on a service ace by Harms.
The third set proved to be closer than the previous two, featuring seven tie scores and two lead changes. UNC fell behind the Tigers by four (10-6), before rallying to knot the score at 21-all, forcing Clemson to call timeout. Behm assisted Nelson on back-to-back kills out of the timeout, to put the Tar Heels ahead by two (23-21). Fittingly, two seniors closed out set and match point (25-21) as Gibson assisted Behm on a kill.
The match against the Tigers was the last regular season game to be played in Carmichael this season. Carolina defended its home court well in 2011, finishing with 12 wins to just three losses.
The UNC offense was balanced, featuring three Tar Heels with double-digit kills: Emily McGee (11), Nelson (10) and Berringer (10). Behm helped quarterback the offense to the tune of 32 assists.
The defense exhibited balance as well, with a trio of Tar Heels tallying double-digit digs: Gibson (20), McGee (17) and Harms (11).
Carolina takes to the road for its final three matches of the season, starting at Virginia Tech Friday, Nov. 18, at 7 p.m.
