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University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
Coastal Carolina
Carolina Volleyball Gets Past Coastal in Four
September 10, 2005 | Volleyball
Sept. 10, 2005
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. --- Redshirt freshman outside hitter Bekah Brinkley had a career-high 18 kills and Carolina outblocked Coastal Carolina 12-1 over the final two games as the Tar Heels defeated the visiting Chanticleers in four games Saturday morning, 30-28, 29-31, 30-15, 30-25, in the third match of the GlaxoSmithKline UNC Volleyball Classic.
Game one was even in the early going, as both offenses held the upper hand. The Chanticleers (2-4) used strong serving to set up easy points, highlighted by a 4-0 run behind the serve of Devon West that gave Coastal a 9-7 lead. For Carolina (3-3) it was the hitters who had an easy time of it in the early stages, as the Tar Heels pressed ahead for an 18-14 lead. But neither team could create much separation until a 4-0 run gave the Chants a 26-24 lead to force UNC's final timeout. It would prove to be a valuable one, however, as two quick kills evened the score at 26-all. After a Coastal timeout, two errors by setter Jennifer Hampton put Carolina on the brink of the win. Another Chanticleer hitting error gave the Tar Heels game point at 29-27, and senior outside hitter Camilla Ihenetu put down the game-clincher for a 30-28 win.
A strong effort by the Coastal Carolina block powered an early run for the Chants in game two, as the visitors raced to a quick 10-5 lead. The Tar Heels finally tied the score at 15-all, and the lead changed hands five times before a Coastal timeout at 26-25. Three points later the Chants used their final timeout with UNC holding a 28-26 lead. But Carolina couldn't put the game away, and head coach Joe Sagula used his last timeout with Coastal up 30-29. Junior middle Amy Beaver had a swing to tie the score, but the ball sailed beyond her reach, giving the Chants a 31-29 win. Coastal outblocked the Tar Heels 4-0 in the stanza.
Sophomore middle Christie Clark opened the third game with an ace to provide the lackluster Tar Heels with some much needed momentum. After opening up a 12-6 lead, the Carolina attack was once again neutralized by the serve of West, and the Chants quickly cut the deficit to 12-10. But after a service error, the Tar Heels rattled off six straight to force a timeout at 18-10. Carolina never looked back after that, taking game three with an ace from freshman defensive specialist Brianna Eskola to win 30-15. The much-improved Tar Heel block made the difference. UNC notched seven blocks after collecting just one in the first two games. Carolina held Coastal to a -.250 hitting percentage, as the Chants recorded just four kills.
Game four was a back-and-forth affair early, with neither team able to build a lead of more than three points. After holding back the Chants for most of the game, a block at 27-25 put the Tar Heels two points away from the match. A Coastal error gave UNC match point, and a solo block by freshman middle Lauren Taylor clinched it for the Tar Heels.
Beaver added 15 kills for the Tar Heels, while Taylor Rayfield (17 digs) and Eskola (16 digs) once again led the defense.
Carolina plays in the finale of the GlaxoSmithKline UNC Volleyball Classic tonight against South Carolina.
