University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
Michigan
Tar Heels Drop Michigan to Finish ACC-Big Ten Challenge
September 7, 2014 | Volleyball
ANN ARBOR, MICH. – UNC defeated their second straight Big Ten opponent on the road Saturday, dropping Michigan 3-0 as the Tar Heels finish the ACC-Big Ten Challenge 2-0 for the second straight year.
Carolina's strong net play was a huge factor in the win, as the Tar Heels outhit the Wolverines .270 to .169, and outblocked them 13 to eight.
The Tar Heels were led by the outside hitter duo of Leigh Andrew and Lauren McAdoo. McAdoo tallied 15 kills on a .289 hitting percentage, her second straight double-figure kills match. Andrew added in a double-double of 11 kills and 10 digs, the team's first double-double on the year.
In set one, Carolina sprinted to an early 6-2 lead and never relinquished control to the home team. McAdoo had six kills in set one and Taner chipped in three digs. Junior middle blocker Victoria McPherson added two kills as UNC finished the set off 25-16.
Sets two and three would prove to be entirely different affairs, as Michigan forced extra points in each set. The Wolverines hosted No. 19 Duke the night before and after dropping the first set of that match, they came back to win in five sets.
Michigan looked to do the same thing on Saturday, as they were able to mount an early 6-2 lead in the second frame behind strong serving. The Tar Heels stormed back to cut the lead to one, at 12-11, behind the net play of Chaniel Nelson, who had five kills in set two.
UNC found themselves trailing again late in set two, 17-13, but kills by Andrew and a block from Paige Neuenfeldt let the Tar Heels regain the lead at 21-20. A strong block by Taylor Treacy and Victoria McPherson ended set two in extra points, 26-24.
Carolina had to fight to pull the set out after Michigan held two set points to win the third. A kill from Neuenfeldt, only her second of the match, erased one set point and tied the game at 25-25.
A kill from McAdoo and then a Michigan hitting error would give the set three to UNC, finishing the match with a sweep.
"I'm proud of this team's poise in those two-point sets," said Head Coach Joe Sagula. "The team stayed tough and played together in order to pull out a win against a talented Michigan team."
"This is another good victory for our team, going on the road. I don't think any of us knew what to expect out of this weekend but the team worked hard and earned these victories. These matches will be important for our team confidence as we continue growing and developing throughout the season."
The Tar Heels mounted a tremendous defensive effort in the match. Ece Taner led UNC with 15 digs, Jordyn Schnabl added six digs, and Abigail Curry had seven digs.
Carolina's middle blockers, Paige Neuenfeldt and Victoria McPherson, combined for 13 blocks in the match. They had an important hand in stifling middle blocker Abby Cole, Michigan's top offensive producer. Cole entered the match averaging 3.83 kills/set, but only managed seven kills on 17 swings, good for 2.33 kills/set, against the Tar Heels.
UNC will have their home opener on Friday, Sept. 12, at 6:30 p.m. against No. 16 Kentucky for the Tar Heels first match in the Carolina Classic. VCU and Georgia Southern will also be competing in the Classic, an annual tournament hosted by Carolina volleyball.
