University of North Carolina Athletics
Thursday, August 31
Chapel Hill, N.C.
6 p.m.
North Carolina
3-1,0-0ACC
3
vs
0
West Virginia
2-2,0-0Big 12
1
2
3
F
West Virginia
17
18
21
0
North Carolina
25
25
25
3
The Tar Heels react to scoring a point against West Virginia.
Photo by: AINSLEY E. FAUTH
Volleyball Sweeps West Virginia In Home Opener
August 31, 2023 | Volleyball
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – The Carolina volleyball team (3-1) earned the first sweep on the season on Thursday night, defeating West Virginia in straight sets in the home opener in Carmichael Arena.
The Tar Heels had their best offensive performance of the season, out-hitting the Mountaineers .250 to .153, led by Emani' Foster, who tallied a match-best 15 kills, the only player on either team in double-digits. It's the third time in her first four games in Carolina blue that Foster has tallied double-digit kills.
In her first career start, freshman setter Zoe Behrendt tallied 12 assists and nine digs, while Maria Miggins helped run the offense with 22 assists. Sadie Swift tallied five kills in five attempts, holding a perfect attacking percentage, while also tallying her first career service ace.
Set One – UNC: 25, West Virginia: 17
The first set was the most competitive of the match with six ties and one lead change. A balanced offensive attack, Swift (3), Foster (4), Mabrey Shaffmaster (2), Kaya Merkler (2) and Romani Thurman (2) all tallied kills in the set. With the score tied at 7 all, the Tar Heels took control, going on a 6-2 run to make it 13-9, a lead they held onto the rest of the set. A block from Merkler and Miggins secured set point for Carolina. Thurman and Merkler each had three block assists in the set.
Set Two – UNC: 25, West Virginia: 18
The Tar Heels held the lead for the entirety of set two. Carolina outhit the Mountaineers .233 to .043 in the frame, with Foster leading the set with four kills.
Set Three– UNC: 25, West Virginia: 21
Carolina hit a match-best .279 in set three, led offensively by Foster who had seven kills with a .462 hitting percentage. Defensively, Maddy May had seven digs, while Merkler and Miggins combined for the sole block of the set.
The Tar Heels continue their home stand Saturday at 6 p.m. when they host Loyola (Maryland).
Stay up to date with Carolina Volleyball by following the Tar Heels on Twitter and Instagram.
The Tar Heels had their best offensive performance of the season, out-hitting the Mountaineers .250 to .153, led by Emani' Foster, who tallied a match-best 15 kills, the only player on either team in double-digits. It's the third time in her first four games in Carolina blue that Foster has tallied double-digit kills.
In her first career start, freshman setter Zoe Behrendt tallied 12 assists and nine digs, while Maria Miggins helped run the offense with 22 assists. Sadie Swift tallied five kills in five attempts, holding a perfect attacking percentage, while also tallying her first career service ace.
Set One – UNC: 25, West Virginia: 17
The first set was the most competitive of the match with six ties and one lead change. A balanced offensive attack, Swift (3), Foster (4), Mabrey Shaffmaster (2), Kaya Merkler (2) and Romani Thurman (2) all tallied kills in the set. With the score tied at 7 all, the Tar Heels took control, going on a 6-2 run to make it 13-9, a lead they held onto the rest of the set. A block from Merkler and Miggins secured set point for Carolina. Thurman and Merkler each had three block assists in the set.
Set Two – UNC: 25, West Virginia: 18
The Tar Heels held the lead for the entirety of set two. Carolina outhit the Mountaineers .233 to .043 in the frame, with Foster leading the set with four kills.
Set Three– UNC: 25, West Virginia: 21
Carolina hit a match-best .279 in set three, led offensively by Foster who had seven kills with a .462 hitting percentage. Defensively, Maddy May had seven digs, while Merkler and Miggins combined for the sole block of the set.
The Tar Heels continue their home stand Saturday at 6 p.m. when they host Loyola (Maryland).
Stay up to date with Carolina Volleyball by following the Tar Heels on Twitter and Instagram.
Team Stats
WVU
UNC
Kills
28
44
Errors
13
18
Attempts
98
104
Hitting %
.153
.250
Points
39.0
57.0
Assists
26
42
Aces
3
6
Blocks
8
7
Game Leaders
Kills
15
Aces
0
Blocks
0
Kills
8
Aces
0
Blocks
0
Kills
6
Aces
0
Blocks
3
Kills
5
Aces
1
Blocks
1
Players Mentioned
S
/ VolleyballOH
/ Volleyball
MB
/ Volleyball
S/OPP
/ VolleyballOH
/ VolleyballMB
/ VolleyballOPP
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