University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
Miami
Carolina Defeats Miami in Four
October 8, 2005 | Volleyball
Oct. 8, 2005
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. --- The University of North Carolina volleyball team improved to 11-6, 6-1 in the Atlantic Coast Conference, with a four game win over visiting Miami, 23-30, 30-22, 30-28, 30-22, Saturday afternoon at Carmichael Auditorium. Senior outside hitter Dani Nyenhuis had 22 kills and 10 digs to lead the Tar Heels.
The opening frame was a game of streaks, as momentum shifted to the Hurricanes (8-6, 3-3 ACC) after an early Tar Heel run. Trailing 9-5, Carolina ran off five straight points to take a 10-9 lead. After a pair of sideouts, Miami responded by winning 11 of the next 16 points to regain control of the game. UNC eventually pulled within two at 24-22, but UM won five straight points to put the game out of reach, winning by a 30-23 score.
Carolina bounced back in game two, rolling to a 30-22 win. The Tar Heels out hit the Hurricanes .269 to .123 and committed just two errors in the game. Senior libero Taylor Rayfield had nine of her match-high 24 digs in the stanza. UNC led by as many as 10 at 27-17 and only trailed at 1-0.
Game three was the closest of the match, as Carolina outlasted Miami for a 30-28 win. The Tar Heels led 12-9 early before the 'Canes went on an 8-2 run to take a 17-14 lead. But unlike in game one, UNC made an 8-2 run of its own to regain the momentum and a 22-19 lead. Miami rallied once again, however, and moved back ahead, 25-24. Carolina would then win three straight points, punctuated by a Bekah Brinkley kill. Two Nyenhuis kills gave the Tar Heels game point at 29-27, and two points later Nyenhuis put the game-winner on the floor.
After a back-and-forth start to game four, Miami took the upper hand with a 9-4 run to lead 18-16. But the Hurricane lead would be short-lived, as the Tar Heels put together an impressive 13-1 run, effectively putting the match away. Brinkley had the day's final kill, and UNC won the game, 30-22, and the match.
The Tar Heels will continue the homestand next weekend against Georgia Tech and Clemson. Friday night's match against the Yellow Jackets will begin at 6:30 and will precede the "Late Night With Roy" event at the Dean Smith Center. UNC will be back in Carmichael Saturday night at 6 to take on Clemson.
