University of North Carolina Athletics
Saturday, September 19
Lincoln, Neb.
12 PM CT/1 PM ET
North Carolina
5-3,0-0ACC
3
vs
1
FGCU
3-6,0-0ASUN
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FGCU | 21 | 16 | 25 | 22 | 1 |
| North Carolina | 25 | 25 | 20 | 25 | 3 |
No. 25 Volleyball Beats FGCU In Four To Wrap Non-Conference Play
September 19, 2026 | Volleyball
LINCOLN, Neb. – No. 25 Carolina volleyball closed non-conference play with a four-set win over FGCU (25-21, 25-16, 20-25, 25-22) on Saturday afternoon. Jackie Taylor dominated finishing with a season-high in blocks and kills with nine apiece. Safi Hampton finished with 12 kills, Chelsea Thorpe had nine and Bridget Malone and Laynie Smith finished with eight each.
Carolina used a 6-0 run in the first set to grab a 11-8 lead and never looked back from there. FGCU would cut it to one but never managed to tie it up. A Jackie Taylor kill then block gave UNC the final two points to take the first 25-21.
The Tar Heels dominated the back half of the second set. Up by one at the media break, they scored 10 of the next 12 points to take a 2-0 advantage, winning 25-16. Mackenzie Boyer had two kills and two blocks in the frame.
FGCU took the third set 25-20 despite UNC trying to fight back into it repeatedly.
Set four was a back and fourth affair all the way to the end. FGCU held a 15-14 lead at the media timeout and then an 18-17 lead. After that the Tar Heels wouldn't let the lead slip away from them, they took a 22-20 lead forcing an FGCU timeout. UNC scored two more out of the timeout to take a commanding 24-20 lead. The Eagles got two points back but ultimately the Tar Heels won 25-22 to take the set and the match.
UNC now turns its attention to ACC play with NC State and Wake Forest up next week.
Carolina used a 6-0 run in the first set to grab a 11-8 lead and never looked back from there. FGCU would cut it to one but never managed to tie it up. A Jackie Taylor kill then block gave UNC the final two points to take the first 25-21.
The Tar Heels dominated the back half of the second set. Up by one at the media break, they scored 10 of the next 12 points to take a 2-0 advantage, winning 25-16. Mackenzie Boyer had two kills and two blocks in the frame.
FGCU took the third set 25-20 despite UNC trying to fight back into it repeatedly.
Set four was a back and fourth affair all the way to the end. FGCU held a 15-14 lead at the media timeout and then an 18-17 lead. After that the Tar Heels wouldn't let the lead slip away from them, they took a 22-20 lead forcing an FGCU timeout. UNC scored two more out of the timeout to take a commanding 24-20 lead. The Eagles got two points back but ultimately the Tar Heels won 25-22 to take the set and the match.
UNC now turns its attention to ACC play with NC State and Wake Forest up next week.
Players Mentioned
MB
/ Volleyball
OH
/ Volleyball
OH
/ Volleyball
OH/OPP
/ Volleyball
MB
/ Volleyball
OH/OPP
/ VolleyballTeam Stats
FGCU
UNC
Kills
56
54
Errors
27
16
Attempts
148
120
Hitting %
.196
.317
Points
69.0
70.0
Assists
50
52
Aces
4
5
Blocks
9
11
Game Leaders
Kills
12
Aces
2
Blocks
0
Kills
9
Aces
0
Blocks
4
Kills
9
Aces
0
Blocks
9
Kills
8
Aces
0
Blocks
2
Friday, September 18
Friday, September 18
Friday, September 18
Wednesday, September 16