University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
Oklahoma
No. 13 Tar Heels Beat Oklahoma
September 20, 2014 | Volleyball
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – UNC recovered from a tough third set to defeat Oklahoma 3-1 (25-14, 25-16, 22-25, 25-18) Friday night in Carmichael Arena.
Sophomore Tatiana Durr moved into the starting line-up for North Carolina and delivered 15 kills, eight digs, and five blocks, all career-highs. Lauren McAdoo registered 11 kills on a .417 hitting percentage, while Ece Taner continued her excellent defensive play with 19 digs.
The Tar Heels dominated the first two sets, attacking at a .322 efficiency and holding the Sooners to single-digit kills in each frame.
North Carolina jumped out to a 10-3 lead in set one behind the serve of Durr, who dropped in an ace to open the run. The Tar Heels then cruised to a victory behind strong net play from Hayley McCorkle, who had three kills in set one.
Set two saw a similar start for UNC, as Heather Gearhart nailed consecutive service aces to give the Tar Heels a 4-0 lead. However, the Sooners rallied behind the serve of Kimmy Gardiner, and tied the score at 9-9.
Paige Neuenfeldt knocked down her second kil in the set at to make the score 11-9, and sparked another North Carolina run in the middle of the set. A kill by McCorkle would finish set two for UNC, 25-16, and put the Tar Heels up 2-0 in the match.
UNC was slow to start set three, as Oklahoma earned an early 4-1 lead behind two kills from Kierra Holst. The Sooners maintained the early advantage throughout the set, before UNC made a late run to bring cut Oklahoma's lead to one at 22-21.
However, Gardiner came through with the kill for Oklahoma and the Sooners finished off the set 25-22.
The Tar Heels reestablished themselves in set four, thanks to strong efforts from Durr and McAdoo. The outside hitter duo combined for seven kills in the set, on a .462 hitting percentage, and UNC won the fourth set 25-18.
Victoria McPherson set a career-high in blocks for the Tar Heels, finishing with 11 blocks in the match against a strong Oklahoma offense. Paige Neuenfeldt was North Carolina's most efficient attacker, knocking down 10 kills, her season-high, on a .562 hitting percentage.
The Tar Heels continue the ACC – Big 12 Challenge tomorrow against West Virginia. The match is at 6 p.m. and admission is free.
