University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
Duke
Carolina Returns Home To Host Duke, Wake Forest
October 3, 2017 | Volleyball
CHAPEL HILL - North Carolina returns home this weekend to open a five-match homestand in ACC play. The Tar Heels will host Duke on Friday in a Carolina Blue Out then face Wake Forest on Sunday afternoon in the annual Get REAL & HEEL Pink Match. Fans are encouraged to wear Carolina Blue on Friday and pink on Sunday.
Friday, Oct. 6 | 6:30 p.m. | Carolina Blue Out
North Carolina (5-7, 2-2 ACC) vs. Duke (11-4, 3-1)
Where: Carmichael Arena
Admission: FREE
Watch: ACC Network Extra
Stats: UNCLiveStats.com
Sunday, Oct. 8 | 1 p.m. | Get REAL & HEEL Pink Match
North Carolina (5-7, 2-2) vs. Wake Forest (10-6, 2-2)
Where: Carmichael Arena
Admission: FREE
Watch: ACC Network Extra
Stats: UNCLiveStats.com
Against the Field
UNC hosts crosstown rival Duke on Friday for the 113th meeting in history. It is the second-most matchups between any opponent, with UNC having faced NC State 116 times in program history. The all-time series is nearly even, with Carolina holding a slight 58-54 edge over the Blue Devils. Duke's 54 victories over the Tar Heels are the most of any Carolina opponent, although UNC has only faced a total of eight teams more than 54 times.
UNC has the upper hand on the series at home, going 26-19 all time in Chapel Hill. The Tar Heels last defeated Duke, 3-1, on Nov. 23, 2016, to clinch their 13th ACC title. Carolina has won the last three home matches and 17 of the last 22.
Carolina has a sizable lead over the all-time series with Wake Forest, going 49-16 all time against the in-state foe, including an impressive 27-4 mark at home. The Tar Heels bring an 11-match winning streak into Sunday's contest, with their last loss to the Demon Deacons coming back in 2009 in five sets.
Get REAL & HEEL Pink Match Set for Sunday
North Carolina will host its annual Pink Match for Breast Cancer Awareness on Sunday, Oct. 8, when the Tar Heels take on Wake Forest. UNC will once against team up with Get REAL & HEEL, who will be selling pink t-shirts and accepting donations at the match. Additionally, there will be a silent auction featuring Carolina gear and behind-the-scenes experiences, with all proceeds benefiting the Get REAL & HEEL Breast Cancer Program. The silent auction will begin when the doors open and will close at the start of the third set.
Get REAL & HEEL is a unique program designed to serve breast cancer patients in North Carolina. It integrates individualized prescriptive exercise with psychosocial therapies to provide a program that strengthens patients' bodies and minds. The program develops an individualized plan that helps patients to manage cancer treatment-related symptoms and helps increase their chances of survivorship while simultaneously improving quality of life. Fans who purchase pink merchandise, bid in the silent auction or give donations at Sunday's match will help provide this incredible program to patients in need free of charge.
Fans who are interested in making an online donation may do so by visiting UNC's giving website. Please include "Carolina Volleyball" when asked what inspired your gift to show your support on behalf of the Tar Heels..
Nordhorn Hitting High
Senior middle hitter Beth Nordhorn has exploded offensively this season, recording double-digit kills in eight of 12 matches, hitting .400 or higher in six of those eight. Nordhorn has hit over .500 with double-digit kills four times, including hitting .615 with 10 kills on 13 swings (two errors) against LIU Brooklyn. Nordhorn is averaging 4.7 swings per set and has only made more than three errors in a match once. The Tar Heel senior leads the ACC and ranks 12th in the nation with a .426 season hitting percentage—the only eligible conference player to hit over .400.
Nordhorn did not see a lot of playing time over her first 2.5 seasons, but after an injury to Sydnye Fields allowed her to start the final 11 matches of 2016, Nordhorn finished her junior year with an ACC-leading .446 season hitting percentage, while leading the conference with a .403 clip during ACC play. The next-best conference player hit .359 on the year, nearly .100 points lower than Nordhorn. She did not meet the minimum playing requirements to be ranked nationally last season, playing in just 60 percent of UNC's sets (req. 66.7%), but her .446 clip beat 2016 NCAA leader Emma Hagedom (UMKC), who finished with a .439 hitting percentage last season.
Block Party
After a slow opening weekend, Carolina's blocking unit has returned to form, posting double-digit blocks in the past nine straight matches. The Tar Heels, who have ranked in the top six in the nation in blocks per set in each of the past three seasons, now average 2.58 blocks per set, which ranks fourth in the ACC and 35th in the nation.
Carolina has three individuals that are averaging at least one block per set, led by redshirt freshman Katharine Esterley. After totaling 19 stuffs over eight sets at Clemson and Georgia Tech this past weekend, the rookie middle ranks second in the ACC with 1.50 blocks per set, including a conference-best 1.75 during league play. Senior Taylor Fricano ranks eighth in the conference with 1.16 blocks per set, moving up to fourth with 1.67 during ACC matches. Fellow senior Beth Nordhorn follows with 1.00 per set. Nordhorn (46) narrowly leads Esterley (45) and Fricano (44) in total blocks.
Statistically Speaking
- Beth Nordhorn leads the ACC and ranks 12th in the nation with a .426 hitting percentage
- Katharine Esterley ranks second in the ACC with 1.50 blocks per set and leads the league with 1.75 in ACC play
- Taylor Fricano ranks fourth during ACC play (1.67) and eighth overall (1.16) in blocks per set
- Mia Fradenburg ranks second in the ACC in digs per set (4.53)
- The Tar Heels are fourth in the ACC and 35th in the nation with 2.58 team blocks per set
- Holly Carlton is one of 21 players in the nation to record a triple-double this year
