University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
Florida A&M
Tar Heels Fall to 25th-Ranked Rattlers in Three
October 10, 2004 | Volleyball
Oct. 10, 2004
The University of North Carolina volleyball team dropped a three-game decision to No. 25 Florida A&M Sunday at Carmichael Auditorium, 30-23, 30-25, 30-20. Senior Molly Pyles led the way for Carolina with seven kills and 15 digs.
Both teams started strong in game one, and the lead went back and forth throughout the early stages. With the score tied at 16-all, Florida A&M (10-2) went on a 4-0 run to seize the momentum and never trailed again. The Tar Heels (11-8) got as close as one at 23-22, but the Rattlers took seven of the final eight points to win, 30-23. Maria Andonova led a strong offensive attack for FAMU, recording six kills on seven swings for an .857 hitting percentage.
Florida A&M continued its sparkling offensive effort in game two, as a .353 to .205 hitting advantage led the Rattlers to a 30-25 win. Carolina quickly fell behind 10-4 to start the game, and was forced to play from behind the whole way. Back-to-back service aces by Caroline deRoeck cut the deficit to two at 22-20, but the Tar Heels would get no closer, and fell down two games to none.
Carolina was once again unable to mount much of a rally in game three, as Florida A&M breezed to a 30-20 win, and secured the match in three games. The Rattlers hit .320 for the match, and Andonova finished with a .522 hitting percentage. No Tar Heel finished with double-digit kills, as Dani Nyenhuis led the way with nine.
Carolina will travel to Florida next weekend to take on ACC opponents Florida State and Miami.
