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University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
12-10, 9-5ACC
Syracuse
17-10, 9-5ACC
Tar Heels Sweep Away Syracuse
November 5, 2017 | Volleyball
CHAPEL HILL – North Carolina recorded its second sweep of the weekend on Sunday afternoon, taking down Syracuse in straight sets, 25-23, 25-16, 26-24. Carolina's defense was key in the ACC matchup, led by eight blocks from Katharine Esterley and 24 digs by Casey Jacobs. The win lifts the Tar Heels into a tie for fourth in the conference standings, as Carolina improves to 12-10 (9-5 ACC), while Syracuse drops to 17-10 (9-5 ACC).
"We went into this game focused on serving tough and getting them out of system," said Jacobs. "We knew that they have some really good middles and we wanted to get them out of system so we could focus on digging their pins and playing good defense around our block."
The junior libero led the match and set a new career high with 24 digs over just three sets. Tying Carolina's season high, it marked the most digs by a Tar Heel in a three-set match since Nov. 14, 2015, when Sheila Doyle tallied 26 against Virginia Tech.
"Our defense was phenomenal," said Esterley. "I think this was one of the best defensive games we've had in a while."
Junior Kendra Koetter posted her third double-double as a Tar Heel with 18 assists and 10 digs, while Holly Carlton followed closely with 17 assists. Greer Moseman chipped in eight digs and Taylor Leath added six.
"I thought Kendra was great today," said Sagula. "She led us in assists, had 10 digs - second most digs on the team today. I thought she was really good for us and I can't say enough about what she did."
Carolina posted 11.0 blocks as a team, including eight stuffs by Esterley, who leads the ACC in blocks per set this season. Carlton joined in on four of them, while Leath and Beth Nordhorn both had three.
"I thought Katharine was outstanding," said Sagula. "Not only did she have eight blocks, but she had seven kills; she hit well. The second set was all of her touches on those saves on balls that were ricocheted. She played good heads-up volleyball today. I was real proud of her. Really great as a freshman to play at that level. Really, really good. What a great opportunity Katharine has made this year, taking advantage of the opportunities she's been given, stepping in and really performing well."
Leath led Carolina's attack with 11 kills in the match, while Nordhorn and Taylor Borup each had eight and Esterley posted seven. Carolina's middles both made just a single error in the match, as Nordhorn, who leads the ACC in hitting percentage, hit .467 and Esterley hit .353.
North Carolina opened the match with a 4-0 run, but Syracuse caught up quickly, making it 5-4 on a swing by Santita Ebangwese. Back-to-back blocks by Nordhorn made it 11-7, and Carolina maintained this advantage, as a Leath kill made it 20-14. The Orange fought back, winning nine of the next 12 points, as a block by Ebangwese and Kendra Lukacs knotted the score at 23. After a timeout, Borup got the job done with back-to-back kills from the left pin to win the first set, 25-23.
The second set was tight early, until a three-point run gave Carolina a 9-6 advantage. The Tar Heels steadily increased the lead, running ahead 23-13, and a kill by Esterley finished off the second set, 25-16.
UNC controlled the pace of the third set, and a four-point run served out by Leath set up UNC match point, 24-18. However, three straight kills by Ebangwese kicked off a 6-0 Syracuse run, as the Orange came all the way back to tie the score at 24. A kill by Borup set up Carolina match point once again, and a great serve by Jacobs led to a Syracuse attack error as the Tar Heels hung on to complete the sweep, 26-24.
"I think we just tried to be calm," said Sagula. "I don't think it was anything anyone said. I thought what I wanted to try to do was just to relax a little bit, keep our focus, concentrate on a good play and not worry about the previous plays and get into a frenzy. I'm glad we handled it well. I think it was about being in control and not panicking. I think everybody looked to each other and they all believed 'OK, we can do this.'"
The Tar Heels continue their final homestand on Thursday, Nov. 9, with a visit from Georgia Tech. Fans are encouraged to bring nonperishable food items to the match to support the Harris Teeter Million Meals Challenge. Anyone who brings three-or-more items will receive a $5 gift card to Harris Teeter. The #ThrowbackThursday '80s Night extravaganza is set to begin at 6:30 p.m.
