Volleyball Downs Charlotte In Four Sets

Tuesday, September 6

Charlotte, N.C.

6:00 p.m.

North Carolina

4-2,0-0ACC

Charlotte

-53,00 CUSA

North Carolina

Charlotte

Photo by: ANTHONY SORBELLINI

September 6, 2022 | Volleyball

Box Score

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Led by a match-best 20 kills and 19 digs from Charley Niego, the Carolina volleyball team defeated Charlotte 3-1 on Tuesday night, earning their first road victory of the season. Mabrey Shaffmaster tallied her second straight 19-kill performance in the win, while Kaya Merkler was the third Tar Heel with double-digit kills (10).

With the win, Carolina improves to 18-0 in the all-time series over Charlotte and is 8-0 against the 49ers on the road.

HOW IT HAPPENED:
Set One – UNC: 22, Charlotte: 25
The Tar Heels opened the match slow offensively, with Charlotte outhitting the Tar Heels .237 to .128. With the set tied up at 22 all, three consecutive kills from the 49ers gave them the set victory. Shaffmaster and Merkler each tallied a team-best four kills in the frame, while Niego and Maddy May had six digs apiece.

Set Two – UNC: 25, Charlotte: 21
Another slow start to the second set from the Tar Heels put them behind 5-1 early while Charlotte continued to build its lead. Late in the set, with Carolina down 21-19, the Tar Heels went on a 6-0 run to even up the match, highlighted by a career-best three service aces from Parker Austin. Niego had a match-best seven kills in the set.

Set Three – UNC: 25, Charlotte: 23
The third set was Carolina's best offensive performance of the night, with the Tar Heels hitting .368, led by six Shaffmaster kills and 14 assists from Anita Babic. Charlotte never led in the set, despite their junior Emani Foster tallying 13 kills.

Set Four – UNC: 25, Charlotte: 22
Despite another tight set between Charlotte and Carolina, another seven kills from Niego and six kills from Shaffmaster proved too much for the 49ers. Shaffmaster sealed the victory with her nineteenth kill of the match.

NEW CAREER-BESTS:

Maddy May set a new career-best of 18 digs
Anita Babic set two new career-bests: kills (six) and assists (46)
Parker Austin set a new career-best of three service aces
Kaya Merkler set a new career-best of four assists
Carson Overbeck set a new career-best of two service aces

UP NEXT:
The Tar Heels host the ACC/Big Ten Challenge, welcoming Michigan and Michigan State to Carmichael Arena on Sep. 9-10.

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