University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
Houston
Carolina Volleyball Suffers Its First Loss to Houston
September 9, 2000 | Volleyball
Sept. 9, 2000
Knoxville, TN - The University of North Carolina volleyball team suffered its first loss to Houston 3-1(13-15, 15-10, 16-14, 15-4) in day two of the Tennessee Classic (Sept. 9). The Tar Heels are now 5-1 for the season heading into their match tonight against Tennessee.
Senior Casey Simpson led the Tar Heels with 19 kills and 14 digs. Outside hitter Malaika Underwood also had 14 digs and added five kills. Setter Eve Rackham registered 38 assists, six digs and four kills. Defensive specialist Liz Feldman tallied 19 digs and one service ace.
Houston had four players with double-digit kills including senior outside hitter Jennifer Wittenburg who tallied 13 kills and 27 digs. Junior outside hitter Gabriela Carbone had a double-double with 10 kills and 18 digs.
In game one, the Tar Heels went on an early 6-0 run aided by a block from Simpson to lead the Cougars 7-2. Houston rallied back and brought the game to 13-13. Middle hitter Holly Strauss and Simpson provided the game winning block to beat the Cougars 15-13.
The Cougars led from the beginning of game two, with the UNC rallying back to bring the score to 8-8. The Cougars had three unanswered points and would hold the Carolina team to 10, winning in 15-10.
In game three the Cougars jumped to an earlier lead going on a 7-0 run. The Tar Heels came back once again aided by Simpson and took the lead at 10-9. The Cougars answered each Carolina point and tied the game at 14-14. Houston was able to surge ahead to win 16-14.
Houston controlled game four holding Carolina to only four points and won the game 15-4 and the match 3-1.
North Carolina plays host Tennessee tonight in the final game of the Tennessee Classic at 7:00 p.m.
