University of North Carolina Athletics
Sunday, October 4
Chapel Hill, N.C.
1:30 PM
North Carolina
9-3,4-0ACC
3
vs
2
Georgia Tech
11-4,3-1ACC
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Georgia Tech | 25 | 25 | 26 | 22 | 11 | 2 |
| North Carolina | 23 | 22 | 28 | 25 | 15 | 3 |
Photo by: DALTON WAINSCOTT
No. 25 Volleyball Wins Five Set Thriller Over Georgia Tech, 3-2
October 4, 2026 | Volleyball
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - Carolina volleyball won a five-set thriller in reverse-sweep fashion on Sunday afternoon against Georgia Tech (23-25, 22-25, 28-26, 25-22, 15-11). Safi Hampton tied her career-high in kills for the second time in a week's span.
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The first two sets were a slog for the Tar Heels, but they were really close to taking both frames, losing by two in the first and three in the second. There were a combined eight ties and five lead changes in the first two frames. Early in the second, Zoe Behrendt reached 2,000 assists. She is one of 11 Tar Heels to reach the feat.
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The third set will be talked about for ages. The Tar Heels backs were against the wall, trailing Georgia Tech 24-20, the Yellow Jackets had what they thought was the match-sealing block. As they rushed the court celebrating the win, UNC head coach Mike Schall challenged a net fault. The challenge was successful, and Carolina had life. The crowd, donning bald caps for 'Dress Like Mike Day,' went wild. There was still work to do, though. UNC rattled off the next three points to make it 24-24. Then UNC fought off another match point to tie it at 25-25, then 26-26. Addison West had a kill to put the Tar Heels up 27-26, then a block by Zoe Behrendt and Lauren Schutter sealed the third and kept Carolina alive.
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For as close as the fourth set was, Carolina led wire-to-wire. UNC never let Georgia Tech even tie it. The Tar Heels pushed their lead to 18-11, and Georgia Tech called a timeout. The Yellow Jackets punched back to make it 20-17, and Carolina used a timeout to regroup. The teams alternated the next eight points, with Carolina holding a 24-20 lead. Georgia Tech fought off two set points, but a Chelsea Thorpe kill forced a fifth and decisive set.Â
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In the fifth, UNC got right to work; they grabbed a 7-2 lead and never looked back. Safi Hampton's career-high tying 22nd kill made it 13-9, then Thorpe and Laynie Smith closed it out to seal the win of the season so far.
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Hampton had 22 kills, Thorpe had 17, and Smith had 11, carrying the bulk of the load for the Tar Heels. Lauren Schutter led the team with six blocks, and Behrendt notched a double-double with 30 assists and 12 digs.
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Carolina now turns its attention to Virginia Tech and Virginia next week.Â
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The first two sets were a slog for the Tar Heels, but they were really close to taking both frames, losing by two in the first and three in the second. There were a combined eight ties and five lead changes in the first two frames. Early in the second, Zoe Behrendt reached 2,000 assists. She is one of 11 Tar Heels to reach the feat.
Â
The third set will be talked about for ages. The Tar Heels backs were against the wall, trailing Georgia Tech 24-20, the Yellow Jackets had what they thought was the match-sealing block. As they rushed the court celebrating the win, UNC head coach Mike Schall challenged a net fault. The challenge was successful, and Carolina had life. The crowd, donning bald caps for 'Dress Like Mike Day,' went wild. There was still work to do, though. UNC rattled off the next three points to make it 24-24. Then UNC fought off another match point to tie it at 25-25, then 26-26. Addison West had a kill to put the Tar Heels up 27-26, then a block by Zoe Behrendt and Lauren Schutter sealed the third and kept Carolina alive.
Â
For as close as the fourth set was, Carolina led wire-to-wire. UNC never let Georgia Tech even tie it. The Tar Heels pushed their lead to 18-11, and Georgia Tech called a timeout. The Yellow Jackets punched back to make it 20-17, and Carolina used a timeout to regroup. The teams alternated the next eight points, with Carolina holding a 24-20 lead. Georgia Tech fought off two set points, but a Chelsea Thorpe kill forced a fifth and decisive set.Â
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In the fifth, UNC got right to work; they grabbed a 7-2 lead and never looked back. Safi Hampton's career-high tying 22nd kill made it 13-9, then Thorpe and Laynie Smith closed it out to seal the win of the season so far.
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Hampton had 22 kills, Thorpe had 17, and Smith had 11, carrying the bulk of the load for the Tar Heels. Lauren Schutter led the team with six blocks, and Behrendt notched a double-double with 30 assists and 12 digs.
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Carolina now turns its attention to Virginia Tech and Virginia next week.Â
Players Mentioned
S
/ Volleyball
OH
/ Volleyball
MB
/ Volleyball
OH/OPP
/ Volleyball
OH/OPP
/ Volleyball
OH
/ VolleyballTeam Stats
GaTech
UNC
Kills
65
71
Errors
31
29
Attempts
163
169
Hitting %
.209
.249
Points
92.0
90.0
Assists
62
68
Aces
9
6
Blocks
18
13
Game Leaders
Kills
22
Aces
3
Blocks
3
Kills
17
Aces
0
Blocks
2
Kills
11
Aces
0
Blocks
5
Kills
6
Aces
3
Blocks
5
Sunday, October 04
Sunday, October 04
Saturday, October 03
Saturday, October 03