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University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
LIU
Carolina Volleyball Opens 2005 With Sweep of LIU
September 2, 2005 | Volleyball
Sept. 2, 2005
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. --- The University of North Carolina volleyball team won its season opener for the sixth consecutive season Friday as the Tar Heels defeated Long Island University at the USF Powerade/Asics Classic, 30-18, 30-20, 30-27. Senior outside hitter Camilla Ihenetu led the way offensively with 16 kills. UNC also dominated the match at the net, outblocking the Blackbirds 13-0.
Carolina (1-0) came out firing on all cylinders in game one, cruising to a 30-18 win. The Tar Heels hit .364 for the frame, while holding LIU (0-4) to a -.037 average. Senior setter McKenzie Byrd had 13 of her match-high 26 assists in the game.
After falling behind 4-1 in the early going, UNC stormed back to win game two, 30-20. Ihenetu had eight kills on 13 swings in the stanza, while sophomore middle Christie Clark had four of her match-high nine blocks.
Game three featured another Carolina comeback, as the Blackbirds raced out to a quick 9-2 lead. The Tar Heels slowly chipped away at the deficit, finally tying the game at 23-all. UNC then won seven of the final 11 points to complete the sweep and start off the 2005 campaign with a win.
Four freshmen saw their first career action in the match. Redshirt freshman outside hitter Bekah Brinkley had five kills and five assists, while true freshmen Stephanie Jansma, Brianna Eskola and Lauren Prussing also played. Senior libero Taylor Rayfield, a native of the San Francisco area, led a balanced Carolina defense with six digs.
The Tar Heels will return to action later Friday with a match against Fresno State at 4:45 p.m. PDT.
