North Carolina defeats Syracuse, 3-1

Friday, October 25

Chapel Hill, N.C.

6:30 PM

North Carolina

9-10, 6-3ACC

Syracuse

5-11, 2-7ACC

Syracuse

North Carolina

Photo by: Jeffrey A. Camarati

October 25, 2019 | Volleyball

Box Score

CHAPEL HILL – Led by double-digit kill matches from Lauren Harrison and Aristea Tontai, North Carolina topped Syracuse, 3-1, on Friday night to remain undefeated in Carmichael Arena in ACC play.

The Tar Heels came from behind in the first two sets, taking a 2-0 lead. However, Syracuse took the third behind Polina Shemanova's six of 23 total kills in the frame before Carolina sealed the deal by attacking .448 in the fourth set for the 3-1 win. Harrison led UNC with 16 kills while Tontai tacked on 10, hitting .429, with a match-best seven blocks. The Tar Heels improve to 9-10 on the season, 6-3 in conference play. Syracuse slides to 5-11, 2-7 in the ACC.

UNC began the match against Syracuse with a kill by Destiny Cox. Skylar Wine and Aristea Tontai did the same as Carolina battled point-for-point with Syracuse early on. After a trio of kills by Harrison, Syracuse called a timeout after another three-point run by the Tar Heels, finishing with a service ace by Skylar Wine that put UNC ahead 17-12. A long rally and fifth kill by Harrison forced another Syracuse timeout. The Orange continued to fight back, nearly tying the score at the 20-19 mark. A Syracuse setting error earned UNC the 1-0 lead, 25-21.

Opening with a 4 point run, the Tar Heels jumped to a strong start in the second set. However, Syracuse battled back, tallying up an impressive eight-point run that was broken by a service error. Syracuse kept up the momentum, delivering a series of kills to put them in the lead 13-6. Kills by Hunter Atherton and Harrison put UNC trailing by just two points and pushed Syracuse to call a timeout. An ace by Annabelle Archer knotted the frame at 19-19. After tying the set four times, Harrison slugged her ninth kill for the 25-23 win and the two-set advantage.

Carolina attempted to close out the match in three sets as a triple block by Cox, Parker Austin and Tontai gave the Tar Heels the 7-6 lead. However, a 6-1 run gave Syracuse a steady lead throughout the set. The Tar Heels managed to bring the set within one, 22-21. However, Shemanova's 16th kill of the match secured the 25-21 win.

Looking to bounce back in the fourth set, Tontai delivered her ninth kill of the match to give the Carolina some momentum. The Tar Heels went on a three point run to put them at a six-point advantage. Shemanova responded with a kill after the media timeout, but the Tar Heels remained strong and posted back-to-back blocks by Carly Peck, Tontai and Austin. Syracuse called a timeout at match point, but Carolina prevailed as Austin clinched the set for UNC with a final kill, 25-17, and the match, 3-1.

Carolina Stat Leaders
» Kills: Lauren Harrison (16)
» Assists: Hunter Atherton (29)
» Digs: Mia Fradenburg (13)
» Total Blocks: Aristea Tontai (7)

Up Next
The Tar Heels remain at home to host Boston College Sunday at 2:30 p.m. for Alumni Day.

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