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University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
Buffalo
Carolina Claims UB Classic With Sweep Of Host Buffalo
August 25, 2007 | Volleyball
Aug. 25, 2007
Buffalo, N.Y. - North Carolina bounced back from a defeat earlier in the day at the University at Buffalo Classic to sweep Buffalo (30-21, 30-25, 30-17) Saturday night as the Tar Heels took the tournament championship. Buffalo native, Stephanie Jansma, was named the tournament MVP as she racked up 118 assists in the Tar Heels three matches. The Tar Heels will head to the Mortar Board Premier at Purdue on Aug. 31 and Sept. 1.
Carolina opened the match with a 30-21 victory in game one. The Tar Heels hit a season-high .297 in game one as Lauren Prussing tallied five kills and Jansma dished out eight assists. Carolina jumped out to an early 10-4 lead and never looked back as Buffalo was held to a hitting percentage of .071 in the game.
Game two was a little closer as it was tied eight times, including at 25-25 late in the game. Carolina answered a small Buffalo run that created the tie by scoring five consecutive points. Freshman Courtney Johnston picked up three of the five points with all three being crucial kills for the Tar Heels.
Carolina cruised to the sweep in game three as the Tar Heels claimed a 30-17 decision for the win. Buffalo picked up the first three points of the game before Carolina went on a 10-3 run to take a 10-6 lead early in the game. Johnston stepped up once again in game three with a pair of kills to give Carolina a 22-14 advantage. Back-to-back errors by the Bulls gave Carolina the game and the match.
Joining Jansma on the all-tournament team were freshman Courtney Johnston and senior Christie Clark. Johnston tallied 34 kills and 14 blocks in the three games, with limited action in the third and final game, while Clark hit .415 in the tournament and picked up 20 kills. Jansma averaged nearly 12 assists per game during the tournament en route to being named the MVP of the tournament.
Carolina earned the tournament title by way of a winning percentage breakdown between three tied teams. UNC, Baylor and Stony Brook all finished the tournament at 2-1. Stony Brook was 3-5 (.375) against the common opponents, Baylor was 5-4 (.556) and the Tar Heels were 4-3 (.571).
The Tar Heels will look for another tournament title at the Mortar Board Premier at Purdue University on Aug. 30 and Sept. 1 where they will take on Utah, Dayton and the host Purdue.
