Volleyball Takes Three Straight Sets From Maryland To Win Opener, 3-1

Saturday, August 30

Conway, S.C.

1 PM

North Carolina

1-0,0-0ACC

Maryland

0-2,0-0Big Ten

North Carolina

Maryland

Photo by: NATE SKVORETZ

Volleyball Takes Three Straight Sets From Maryland To Win Opener, 3-1

August 30, 2025 | Volleyball

Box Score

CONWAY, S.C. - Carolina volleyball opened its 2025 season with a dominant victory over Maryland 3-1 (25-21, 25-17, 25-17, 25-17).

Carolina won three straight sets 25-17 after dropping the first set, which was the 45th all-time victory against the Terrapins. The Tar Heels outhit the Big Ten foe .346 to .227. Four players hit over .350 for the game.

It was a balanced attack for Carolina. Hailey Pearce, Laynie Smith and Safi Hampton all had ten or more kills. It's the most with 10+ kills in a single match since last season's NCAA Tournament victory against Yale.

Pearce and Smith made the most of their Carolina debut as the duo hit over .400 with a combined 21 kills.

Jackie Taylor built off of her phenomenal freshman year as she led the match in hitting percentage (.667) and blocks (5). The rest of the team contributed defensively as Mackinzie Boyer had the second most blocks (3) in her Tar Heel debut, and Maddy May was tied for the lead with ten digs, which was her tenth straight game with double-digit digs and 15 of 16 games dating back to last season.

The final set started close as the Tar Heels battled with Maryland as the Terps kept it within three points down 17-14 before Carolina scored seven straight points, making it 24-14. Maryland staved off defeat for three points, but ultimately Carolina won the set 25-17 and secured the victory. Carolina never gave up the lead as Pearce was responsible for the first and final kill of the set.

Head Coach Mike Schall is now 3-0 in season openers in his tenure, and the Heels have now won five of their last six season-opening matches.

It's a quick turnaround for Carolina as it plays Coastal Carolina tomorrow at 1 p.m. on ESPN+.