No. 21 Volleyball Wins Five-Set Thriller Over No. 7 SMU

Friday, October 31

Chapel Hill, N.C.

6 PM

North Carolina

17-3,10-1ACC

#7 SMU

16-5,8-3ACC

SMU

North Carolina

Photo by: DALTON T. WAINSCOTT

October 31, 2025 | Volleyball

Box Score Photo Gallery

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – No. 21 Carolina volleyball earned its first top-10 victory since 2016 on Friday night against No. 7 SMU (25-19, 23-25, 25-22, 13-25, 15-13).

It was a heavy weight showdown in Carmichael Arena on Friday night as SMU made its first ever trip to Chapel Hill. Wanting to punch first, UNC came out swinging. Up 12-9, the Tar Heels used a 4-1 run to take a 15-9 lead into the first set media break. After the break they rattled off the next four to go up 10. The Mustangs wouldn't go away though, they went on an 8-2 run to cut the Carolina lead to 24-19, but Hailey Pearce closed it out to give the Tar Heels the set.

SMU responded and won a tough back and fourth second set despite UNC hitting a stellar .447

In a momentum swinging third set, the trio of Safi Hampton, Laynie Smith, and Chelsea Thorpe would not let UNC fall. The three combined for 12 kills and four blocks in the third set alone. Down 13-10 the Tar Heels used a 4-0 run to jump back in front. SMU was able to tie things up a handful of times after that but they never regained the lead as UNC went on to win the third 25-22 and take a 2-1 lead.

The Mustangs punched back and won the fourth 25-13 setting the stage for a dramatic fifth set.

The teams traded punches early, sitting at 6-6. SMU took the next two points and had an 8-6 lead into the switch. Trailing 9-7, the Tar Heels scored the next four to take an 11-9 lead and force an SMU timeout. They tied things back up at 11-11, then Thorpe and Jackie Taylor picked up a block to regain the lead. It was then tied at 12-12 and 13-13. That's when Hampton tied her career-high with her 22nd kill of the night to snag the lead. Lauren Schutter ended the night with a kill to give the Tar Heels their biggest win of the Mike Schall era.

Freshman setter Sienna Cozza had the night of her young career with a career-high 28 assists and eight digs. Laynie Smith set a new season-high with 13 kills which matched Chelsea Thorpe.

UNC now sets its sights on No. 4 Pitt who comes to town for a 1:30 match on Sunday on ACC Network.