University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
19-8, 16-2
Virginia
18-11, 10-8
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Carolina | 25 | 25 | 25 | 3 |
| Virginia | 23 | 22 | 13 | 0 |
Defense, Serving Lead Tar Heels To Sweep Of 'Hoos
November 22, 2015 | Volleyball
Charlottesville, Va. – The North Carolina volleyball team captured its 11th straight victory on Saturday night, opening the season-ending road trip with a sweep of Virginia. After narrowly escaping with wins in the first two sets which featured 18 tie scores and seven lead changes, the Tar Heels ran away with the third to win the match, 3-0 (25-23, 25-22, 25-13). With the win, UNC improves to 19-8 (16-2 ACC), while Virginia falls to 18-11 (10-8 ACC).
“This was a really good match for us,” said head coach Joe Sagula. “It was a gritty match. We knew that Virginia would be really tough at home. They were playing really well offensively. It was hard-fought back and forth.
“It was not what you would call a really pretty much on our end, but I think it was all about a competitiveness and a way to grind out a win and to score at the right time. Because we did that, I think our effort really put us in command in the third set. I think at that point, it was an uphill battle for Virginia.”
Carolina spread the ball around on offense, as Taylor Leath led the Tar Heels with nine kills, and Leigh Andrew, Paige Neuenfeldt and Taylor Treacy each followed with six.
Abigail Curry picked up her 18th career double-double with 26 assists and 12 digs, while Sheila Doyle (18) and Tatiana Durr (11) each had double-digit digs as well. The front row defense totaled nine blocks in the match, led by Neuenfeldt with five.
“I'm really proud of the defense,” said Sagula. “I thought Tatiana made some huge digs. Heather Gearhart and Sheila Doyle really set the tone with big plays for us, and then good swings in transition at the end. And you can't not mention how well Abbey Curry keeps playing for us."
The Tar Heels' serve and pass game was on point, as Carolina landed seven aces in the match while holding the Cavaliers, who entered the night with a conference-best 1.32 per set in ACC play, to just a single ace. The serving performance matched UNC's best of the year in ACC play, as the Tar Heels also landed seven at NC State on Oct. 7. Carolina had a season-high eight twice in September during nonconference play.
“What really made the difference was our serving, which was just nasty tonight,” said Sagula. “Serving was the difference, and our team needs to remember how good they can be when they serve that well.”
Carolina won the first three points of the match then quickly ran ahead, 7-2. Virginia pulled within one, 10-9, but UNC pushed back in front, 14-10. The Cavaliers again battled back, and this time used a four-point swing to take their first lead of the night, 17-15. The Tar Heels re-tied it at 17, and a heads-up kill by Curry put Carolina back in front, 20-19. UVA tied the score once again at 21, but a block by Andrew and Victoria McPherson made it set point, and Andrew finished out the frame with a kill to win the opener, 25-23. The Tar Heels had five blocks in the debut set, and Treacy had five kills with no errors.
The second set was close throughout, as Virginia took the first big lead, 9-5, but UNC fought right back to tie it at nine. The Tar Heels pulled in front, 15-12, but UVA replied after a timeout to tie the score at 15, then two kills by Haley Kole made it 20-17 Cavaliers. Lexi Riccolo served the next ball out of bounds, and three straight kills by McPherson, Neuenfeldt and Taylor Fricano knotted the score at 21. An error by Kole gave Carolina back the lead, and two Leath kills made it set point. The ensuing play was a lengthy rally, but Kole ended it with a swing into the net, as Carolina took a 2-0 lead into the locker room, winning the second set, 25-22.
“The second set was the difference-maker,” said Sagula. “Coming back in that one, because Virginia looked like they were going to make a run to win that set. Being down by three points late, we needed to get it done then and we did; we found a way. We had a big block in that run, and the transition game got better”
The Tar Heels ran away with the third set, using five service aces and an efficient .364 clip to take the third, 25-13, and complete the sweep.
Carolina's season-ending road swing continues on Wednesday, Nov. 25, with an afternoon match at Wake Forest. First serve against the Demon Deacons is set for 1 p.m.
