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University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
Miami
Carolina Drops Miami On Senior Night
November 17, 2006 | Volleyball
Nov. 17, 2006
CHAPEL HILL --- North Carolina sent seniors Amy Beaver and Meg Eckert off with a win in their final home match, as the Tar Heels defeated Miami, 30-12, 24-30, 30-28, 30-26, Friday night at Carmichael Auditorium. Beaver had a season-high nine blocks, Heather Brooks had a career-high 10 blocks and Megan Owens had a match-high 18 kills for UNC, which is peaking as the season comes to an end.
Miami (10-18, 7-12 Atlantic Coast Conference) scored three of game one's first four points, but it was all Carolina after that. The Tar Heels (10-19, 8-12 ACC) went on a dominant 15-1 run to take a 16-4 lead and blow open the game. Heather Brooks had six of her game-high seven blocks during the stretch, as UNC held Miami to just four kills for the entire frame. Owens took care of the Tar Heel offense with six kills, including the game-winner, on just eight swings.
After having almost nothing go right for them in game one, the Hurricanes rebounded well in game two, securing a 30-24 win. The score was tied on 13 occasions, the last coming at 18. From there, UM went on a 5-0 and forced a Carolina timeout. The Tar Heels would get as close as three several times, but a Hurricane block ultimately ended it. The Miami offensive effort was much improved, as the Hurricanes outhit UNC .205-.019.
Carolina struggled to find its form for much of game three, but the Tar Heels grinded out a 30-28 win to take a 2-1 lead in the match. Miami built an early six-point lead thanks in large part to sloppiness of the Tar Heels. UNC pulled to within two at 19-17 on back-to-back UM attack errors, but the Hurricanes responded by winning five straight.
Down seven, UNC went on a 10-3 run to tie the score at 27. That run, which was capped by Beaver's sixth block of the night, put the momentum squarely with Carolina. A Stephanie Jansma kill gave the Tar Heels their first lead since 3-2, and Owens put down two straight kills to end it.
Carolina held off a Miami rally at the end of game four to close out the match. The Tar Heels led by five at 25-20 when the Hurricanes got three blocks in a 5-0 run to tie the score. Bekah Brinkley came off the bench for two kills in a 4-1 run that pushed UNC to match point, and a Miami attack error finished the match.
The Tar Heels have won four of their last five and have played their best volleyball of the season. Brianna Eskola led all players with 29 digs for Carolina, while Jansma was solid with 37 assists, 10 digs, four kills and three blocks.
UNC will close the season over the Thanksgiving weekend with matches at Boston College and Maryland Friday and Saturday.
