University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
7-1
Sam Houston State
6-7
Heels Open TCU Invite With Sweep of Bearkats
September 16, 2016 | Volleyball
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| Postgame Infographic |
Fort Worth, Texas – No. 8 Carolina raced to a 3-0 sweep of Sam Houston State on Friday afternoon to open the TCU Horned Frog Invitational. The Tar Heels needed just one hour and 16 minutes to defeat the Bearkats, claiming the match with set scores of 25-21, 25-18, 25-13. With the win, UNC improves to 7-1, while SHSU falls to 6-7.
Junior middle hitter Beth Nordhorn had a career day for the Tar Heels, posting personal bests with nine kills and seven blocks, hitting .500. Reigning ACC Player of the Week Taylor Leath put up an impressive 17 digs and hit .304 with eight kills, while freshman Taylor Borup tallied six kills, six digs and four blocks in her first career start.
Senior Abigail Curry registered her 19th career double-double, posting 22 assists and 11 digs in front of a hometown crowd on her 22nd birthday.
As a team, the Tar Heel defense held Sam Houston State to just .043 hitting, thanks to 10.0 blocks and 53 digs in just three sets. After hitting .217 in the first set, the Bearkats hit negative over the final two sets, making 19 errors as compared to just 14 kills.
A 5-0 run served out by Curry lifted UNC ahead 11-7 in the first set, and the Tar Heels never again trailed. A service ace by libero Sheila Doyle solidified Carolina's advantage at 15-10, and Taylor Fricano finished the frame, 25-21, with a kill.
Sam Houston State won the first two points of the second set, but the Tar Heels rattled off the next 10 straight with the help of two triple blocks to pull in front, 10-2. Carolina won another five straight to speed ahead 21-8, but the Bearkats fought back with a 9-0 run served out by Shelby Genung to pull within four, 21-17. A kill by Nordhorn finally allowed the Heels to rotate, and a block by Nordhorn and Borup closed out the frame, 25-18, to give UNC a 2-0 match lead.
The Tar Heels made quick work of the Bearkats in the third set, as an ace by Mariah Evans made it 7-2 early and Carolina never gave in, winning the third set, 25-13, and claiming the match in three sets.
UNC returns to the University Rec Center for two matches on Saturday, Sept. 17. The Tar Heels begin the day against 2015 American Athletic Conference Champion SMU at 1 p.m. ET followed by a rematch with host TCU at 5 p.m. ET. A live video stream will be available for Carolina's match against the Horned Frogs. TCU Frog Vision subscription required.
