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University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
Pittsburgh
UNC Falls To Pittsburgh in Colorado Invitational, 3-1
September 10, 2004 | Volleyball
Sept. 10, 2004
Boulder, Colo. - The University of North Carolina volleyball team dropped its opening match in the University of Colorado Invitational Friday night, falling to Pittsburgh in four games, 30-27, 35-37, 30-24, 30-26.
Game one was nip and tuck early, with the score tied on seven occasions before Pitt ran off three straight points to lead 14-11. The Panthers extended their lead to as many as five points on four different instances, the last coming at 25-20. Carolina rallied to cut the lead to one with help from back-to-back points courtesy of a kill and block by Amy Beaver. The Tar Heels would get no closer, however, and Pitt took the game on a block to end it at 30-27.
The Panthers built on their momentum in game two, jumping out to a quick 10-5 lead. UNC would get no closer than three points until late in the game, when the Tar Heels produced a run of four following a timeout to cut the Pitt lead to 24-23. Carolina looked poised to tie the match at 25, but a solid block from Jessica McDonald maintained the Panther cushion until a big kill from Katie Wright knotted the contest at 28, forcing a Pitt timeout.
The end of game two had some of the most dramatic moments of the match. Pitt appeared to have won the game 30-28, but a Carolina hit that sailed long was ruled to have been tipped by a Panther, and the game was extended. The Tar Heels were subsequently denied on six consecutive game points, but a block from Beaver finally put UNC over the top, 37-35.
Taylor Rayfield and Molly Pyles provided one of the most exciting moments of the night when Rayfield raced to save a ball that had been deflected almost 20 feet beyond the end line. Pyles then powered the ball over the net, and the Tar Heels eventually took the point.
Carolina got out in front for the first time in game three, racing to a 5-1 lead. Pitt quickly tied it at 7, and then proceeded to rattle off seven of eight to take a 14-8 lead. UNC would get as close as three on several occasions, but the Panthers took the game, 30-24.
Game four was tied nine times, the last coming at 20-20. Pittsburgh then won six of the next seven points to lead 26-21. Pyles and Wright combined to lead a late charge, but Carolina ran out of opportunities, and the Panthers won the match-clinching game, 30-26.
Pyles (20 kills and 13 digs) and Dani Nyenhuis (17 kills and 17 digs) each recorded double-doubles for Carolina.
UNC will look to bounce back tomorrow morning at 10 a.m. MDT against San Diego.
