University of North Carolina Athletics
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Carolina Gets Past Virginia in Four
October 1, 2004 | Volleyball
Oct. 1, 2004
Chapel Hill - The University of North Carolina volleyball team improved its record to 8-7 and 3-1 in the Atlantic Coast Conference with a four game win over visiting Virginia (11-4, 1-2) Friday night at Carmichael Auditorium, 30-28, 22-30, 30-25, 30-22. Senior libero Caroline deRoeck led the Tar Heels defensively with a career-high 29 digs. Senior middle hitter Katie Wright added 18 kills and nine blocks. Virginia libero Melissa Caldwell had a match-high 34 digs.
Game one saw both teams grab momentum at various times, but neither team was able to put the other away until the very end. Wright led the Tar Heels early with a pair of kills that put UNC ahead by five at 10-5. After a Virginia timeout at 13-8, the Cavaliers won seven of the next eight points to take a 15-14 lead. Carolina responded, and a big block by Wright gave the Tar Heels a 21-19 advantage. The gap would grow to as much as four at 28-24 before Virginia rallied to tie it at 28-all. UNC got the final advantage of 30-28 thanks to kills from Dani Nyenhuis and Amy Beaver.
Carolina played from out front for most of the first half of game two, and led 17-14 when Virginia called a timeout. From that point on the Cavaliers outscored the Tar Heels 16-5, including an 8-0 run, and took the game, 30-22. Sarah Kirkwood led UVa with seven kills in the game, as the Wahoos out-hit UNC .268 to .083. Kirkwood would finish with 19 kills and 22 digs.
After Virginia took the third game's first three points, Carolina led most of the way. The score was tied on five occasions, the last coming at 25-all. At that point UNC inserted freshman Ashley Board into the lineup and she promptly served out the final five points to take the game, 30-25. Pyles played some of her best volleyball over that last stretch, registering two kills and exhibiting some strong play at the net.
Carolina secured the match in game four with some outstanding defensive play. DeRoeck had nine of her 29 digs in the game, and the Tar Heels out-blocked the Cavs 8.5 to one. Wright led the UNC blocking effort, registering three solos and six assists in the match. Just as in game three, Board came off the bench to close out the game, needing only one point this time, as Carolina won 30-22.
The Tar Heels now have a quick turnaround, as they are in action again tomorrow night against Maryland. First serve is at 6 p.m.
