Volleyball Wins Final Preseason Tune Up Over High Point

Saturday, August 22

Chapel Hill, N.C.

2:00 PM

North Carolina

High Point (Exh.)

Pregame
University of North Carolina Volleyball v High Point
Carmichael Arena
Chapel Hill, NC
Saturday, August 22, 2026

Photo by: DALTON WAINSCOTT

August 22, 2026 | Volleyball

Photo Gallery

By: Megan Smith

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Carolina volleyball made its first showing of the season Saturday afternoon in an exhibition match against High Point. The Tar Heels, who came in at No. 19 in the AVCA Preseason Top 25, topped the Panthers, 4-1 (25-19, 28-26, 22-25, 25-16, 15-11), in Carmichael Arena. The exhibition went to five sets regardless of the best-to-three rule.

Head coach Mike Schall rotated in the full length of the roster for Carolina, experimenting with a multitude of lineups to search for a rhythm ahead of the first contest of the season.

Graduate opposite hitter Chelsea Thorpe led the offensive front for UNC. First-year Addison West had a stellar start to her Carolina career, converting on five kills for a .333 hitting percentage in the fourth set.

Junior Julia Bohlinger and freshman Carly Markham each donned the navy blue libero jersey.

The Tar Heels elected to run a 6-2 volleyball rotation throughout the game. Senior Zoe Behrendt and junior Emily Bobbitt split the most time setting from the back row.

The majority of the first set was a back-and-forth affair, with competitive rallies and challenging pressure from both sides of the court. The Panthers' offensive was spread evenly throughout. The Tar Heels, on the other hand, depended primarily on Chelsea Thorpe and junior right-side Laynie Smith, who combined for eight kills in the opening set.

UNC hit a whopping .400 in the set, while the Panthers tallied a .212 hitting percentage. North Carolina also had the advantage over High Point at the net defensively, stuffing the Panthers on four occasions.

Pulling away at the end of the set, the Tar Heels captured the first, 25-19.

The second set saw 12 tie scores throughout.

Sophomore outside attacker Bridget Malone made her appearance in the set, swinging in a pair of kills.

The Tar Heels found themselves in a four-point pit late, but discovered a way to extend the game to extra points. Senior outside Safi Hampton converted on a cross-court attack to earn a one-point advantage. Malone and middle blocker Jackie Taylor joined forces for a double block on the final rally to complete the comeback and take the set, 28-26.

Sophomore setter Sienna Cozza guided the offense in the third set for the Tar Heels alongside Behrendt.

Freshman pin hitter Lindley Miller nailed down a pair of kills in the set, while graduate middle Sadie Swift touched the court for the first time to hit two herself.

A successful challenge from High Point overturned a net violation call on the final point. The Panthers came out on top of set three, 25-22.

Addison West, the 2026 Nebraska Gatorade Player of the Year, made her mark on Saturday in the fourth set. Thanks to the first-year's net presence, UNC took an early 8-4 edge.

The Panthers evened it back up, but North Carolina went on a 14-5 tear.

West's attacking efforts — combined with Carolina service pressure — helped UNC create distance over High Point. The Tar Heels dominantly won set four, 25-16, and gained 3-1 lead in the match.

Although UNC had technically claimed victory with three sets won, the two teams competed in a fifth set. The freshman newcomers helped North Carolina remain ahead in the final set, finishing with a 15-11 triumph.

Carolina has one week until returning to action for its first official match of the 2026 season. The Tar Heels will make the two-hour road trip to play Davidson at 2 p.m. next Saturday.

Season tickets for the 2026 campaign can be purchased here and single match tickets can be purchased here.