University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
4-0
Duke
3-1
Freshmen Fuel Explosive Victory Over Rival Blue Devils
September 2, 2016 | Volleyball
 |
| Postgame Infographic |
DURHAM – The Tar Heel blocking unit posted the first 20-block performance in a decade on Thursday night, as redshirt freshman Sydnye Fields' record-breaking performance led Carolina to a 3-1 (22-25, 25-18, 25-23, 25-20) victory over Duke at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Fields took down a 30-year-old record with 15 block assists in the match to propel the Heels to victory over UNC's arch rival. The win marks Carolina's fourth in a row to start the season, while Duke (3-1) takes its first loss of the year.
“We're super excited to win the match and get a big road win,” said head coach Joe Sagula. “We hadn't beaten Duke here in Durham in a couple of years. I thought Duke played so scrappy. They play exceptionally here. I told our team we were great at blocking, but they would cover and cover and cover and were strong in transition. But I think when push came to shove, our talent and our pin hitters did a really good job.”
Middle hitter Sydnye Fields put on a head-turning display at the net, stuffing 16 blocks and breaking the all-time single-match record for block assists with 15. The redshirt freshman one-upped Dawn Wood's mark of 14 set against Tulane back on Sept. 13, 1986. Senior Taylor Treacy was by her side for nearly half of them, posting seven blocks, while Taylor Borup stuffed five over the final two sets.
As a team, Carolina's blocking unit totaled 21.0 stuffs, the first 20-block performance since Nov. 17, 2006. The 38 block assists shattered the previous team record of 34, matched four times including most recently on Aug. 31, 2012, against Santa Clara.
“I would definitely give a lot of credit to (Assistant Coach) Tyler (Adams),” said Fields after her career performance. “He works with the middles and we watch a lot of video. When I'm in the game, I always look to him on the bench to give me hints on how to pick up things faster. He's taught me a lot.”
Reigning ACC Freshman of the Week Julia Scoles invigorated Carolina's offense, posting her third straight double-double with 17 kills and 14 digs, adding four blocks and two aces while hitting an impressive .351. Classmate Taylor Borup, who only played in the final two sets, quickly established her presence, ranking second on the team with nine kills to go with five digs.
“It was a really good team effort tonight, playing different people in different positions,” said Sagula. “Even Beth Nordhorn, who didn't come on until the last set, was a really good change for our side. She had a good touch, a big block, a good swing, and that's the kind of team we're going to have this year.”
Libero Sheila Doyle put on a show in the back row, registering her 11th career 20-dig performance with a match-best 26 and added six assists and an ace. Fellow senior Abigail Curry quarterbacked the Tar Heel offense with 29 assists, adding eight digs and an ace, while freshman Mariah Evans dished out 12 assists.
“(This freshman class is) learning a lot so early in their careers,” said Sagula. “To get this experience and know how to fight through it is going to pay off later in the season. For Sydnye as a freshman to do what she did, it's fantastic. It just means a lot for their future. The future for Carolina volleyball over the next few years looks good, because they'll all be back.”
The match began neck and neck, with Duke taking the first lead but neither team establishing a firm lead. After trailing, 11-9, UNC put together a 6-1 run capped by an ace by Doyle to take a 15-12 advantage when the horn sounded for a media timeout. Carolina maintained its position to pull ahead, 20-17, on a kill by Fields, but Duke battled back to win eight of the next 10 points and steal the first set, 25-22.
Dropping the first set lit a fire under UNC, as the Tar Heels raced to a 7-1 lead to start the second. Carolina extended the advantage to 20-10, but Duke did not roll over, fighting back to cut the deficit in half, 21-16. A kill by Taylor Leath righted the ship, and an ace by Taylor Fricano ended the set, 25-18, in favor of UNC. Scoles and Fields dominated in the second set, as Scoles hit nearly .700 with nine kills and Fields slammed six blocks in the frame.
“We had to come back and fight,” said Fields. “We knew they weren't going to let up. They're at home in their own gym, they have a lot of energy, and it's a rival match, so we knew we had to come back and be smarter. We had to talk about logistical things that we could do to be better and be more tactical.”
The third set began much like the second, as Carolina quickly pulled ahead, 6-1. However, Duke quietly stayed in the game, and a kill by Anna Kropf cut the deficit to a single point, 15-14. A kill by Fields kept the Blue Devils from tying the score, and soon the Heels led 20-17. Duke continued the battle, and a block by Samantha Amos and Jordan Tucker knotted the score at 23. A kill by Leath kept the Blue Devils from taking the lead, and Fields and Taylor Treacy finished the set with Carolina's 17th block of the night to take control of the match, 2-1, after a 25-23 set-three decision.
Duke setter Cindy Marina led off the fourth set with back-to-back aces, but Carolina regrouped the take a 13-9 lead midway thought the set. A triple block by Treacy, Borup and Fields was part of a 6-0 run and an ace by Scoles made it 20-12 Carolina. The Blue Devils continued to fight back and pulled within four points, 24-20, but a kill by Scoles finished it off as UNC won the fourth set, 25-20, and captured the match in four.
UNC looks to keep the hot streak going on Saturday, Sept. 3, in the 2016 home opener at Carmichael Arena. The Tar Heels host TCU at 6:30 p.m. in their first of two nonconference matchups this season. Saturday's match will be streamed live on ACC Network Extra on WatchESPN.
