University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
South Carolina
Tar Heels Get Past Gamecocks in Four
November 27, 2004 | Volleyball
Nov. 27, 2004
Senior libero Caroline deRoeck broke the all-time UNC record for career digs as the University of North Carolina volleyball team closed out its regular season schedule with a 31-29, 33-35, 30-21, 30-15, win over host South Carolina Satruday afternoon in Columbia. deRoeck's 29 digs give her 1,579 for her career, eclipsing the previous mark of 1,558 that was established by former teammate Laura Greene. Senior Molly Pyles added 22 kills and 21 digs to lead the Tar Heels.
Carolina (19-15) opened up a 15-9 lead only to see the Gamecocks (12-15) rally to tie the score at 24-all. After a South Carolina attack error, Pyles put down four kills in the next seven points to give the Tar Heels a pair of game points at 29-27. South Carolina tied it briefly before a Jayme Mitchell service ace won it, 31-29.
The Tar Heels had an opportunity to take a 2-0 lead in the match, but they were unable to convert game points at 29-28 and 33-32. The Gamecocks would benefit from three consecutive Carolina attack errors to even the match with a 35-33 win.
Game three proved to be the turning point, as the Tar Heels raced out to a 9-2 lead they would not relinquish. South Carolina would get as close as two at 19-17 before UNC took 11 of the final 15 points to win the game, 30-21, and take a 2-1 lead in the match.
The Gamecocks in game four for only a short time, as Carolina used a 10-0 run to take a 16-5 lead that would prove to be insurmountable. The Tar Heels held South Carolina to a hitting percentage of .025 and won the game, 30-15, and the match going away.
The Tar Heels must now await word on whether or not they will receive an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament. The bracket will be announced at 7 p.m. Sunday night on ESPNews.
