University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
Virginia Tech
Tar Heels Continue ACC Roll
October 8, 2004 | Volleyball
Oct. 8, 2004
CHAPEL HILL -- The University of North Carolina volleyball team ran its winning streak to a season-high five matches with a 30-19, 31-33, 30-17, 30-21, victory over visiting Virginia Tech Friday night at Carmichael Auditorium. The Tar Heels (11-7, 6-1 ACC) were led offensively by junior Dani Nyenhuis and senior Molly Pyles, both of whom registered 20 kills. On the defensive side, Pyles added 16 kills while senior libero Caroline deRoeck took over second place on the all-time dig list at Carolina with 24. Four players for Virginia Tech (8-8, 3-2 ACC) finished with double-digit digs, including 17 for Annie Spicer.
The Tar Heels dominated game one, taking a quick 9-2 lead to open play and never looking back. Carolina would lead by as many as 13 at 25-12, and the Hokies would never get closer than nine, as UNC won 30-19 to take the early advantage. Pyles had six of 17 kills for the Tar Heels, who outhit Virginia Tech .351 to .119.
The Hokies did not go quietly after game one, showing some of the fight that led them to three wins in their first four matches as new members of the league. Carolina struggled to build on its momentum, and quickly fell behind 15-9, forcing head coach Joe Sagula to use both of his timeouts for the game. UNC would rally, and finally tied the match at 25-all. The two teams traded the lead in the late stages, with both squads squandering match points before a Spicer kill won it for Virginia Tech, 33-31. Spicer led the way for the Hokies with 21 kills, seven of which came in game two.
Game three was nip and tuck in the early going, as the score was tied on 12 separate occasions before an extended run by the Tar Heels turned the tide. With the scored tied at 16-all, Pyles proceeded to serve 11 consecutive points, giving Carolina an insurmountable 27-16 lead. The Hokies would only score one more point, and UNC took a 2-1 lead in the match with the 30-17 win.
Unlike the Tar Heels did after game one, Carolina was able to capitalize on a solid game three in the final stanza of the match. The Tar Heels got out to a 10-3 lead early and extended the gap to as many as 12 at 26-14. Senior Katie Wright finished things off with one of her seven blocks on the night, and UNC secured the match in four games with a 30-21 win.
Carolina will now step out of conference to play the 25th-ranked Florida A&M Rattlers on Sunday at 1 p.m.
