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University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
Missouri State
Carolina Sweeps Missouri State To Open Carolina Classic
September 5, 2008 | Volleyball
Sept. 5, 2008
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - Heather Brooks slammed down a kill off a Stephanie Jansma set to open the first set against visiting Missouri State Friday night at the Dean E. Smith Center and the Tar Heels never looked back en route to a 3-0 sweep (25-13, 25-22, 25-18). Brooks finished the night with nine kills and a team-high seven blocks as she helped the Tar Heels to their first victory of the season in the Carolina Classic. Carolina will take on Georgetown at 12 noon tomorrow before closing out the tournament against Davidson at 7 p.m.
rooks hit a season-high .471 for the match as she committed just one error on 17 attempts from her middle blocker position. Sophomore Suzanne Haydel tallied a double-double on the night as she led the Tar Heels with 10 kills and posted 11 digs in the three set match.
Following Brooks' match-opening kill the Tar Heels jumped out to a 4-0 advantage forcing Missouri State into a very early timeout to try and stop the momentum. The Bears cut the deficit to two (5-3) before Carolina reeled off a 9-2 run as the Tar Heels took advantage of a trio of errors by Missouri State. Courtney Johnston and Lauren Prussing picked up back-to-back kills before Haydel capped off the run with a pair of aces. The Tar Heels would cruise from that point taking the opening set by a 25-13 advantage. Carolina hit a season-high .435 and failed to side out on just three occasions, while turning away three attacks from the Bears.
The Bears would make the second set a little more interesting taking a 12-10 lead midway through the set. Freshman Aleksandra Georgieva turned the momentum in the Tar Heels' favor as she served the Tar Heels to six consecutive points following another kill from Johnston to push Carolina back in front at 16-12. Carolina extended its lead to six at 24-18, needing a single point to take a 2-0 advantage in the match, but Missouri State answered with a late run on the back of consecutive kills and a pair of blocks to force the Tar Heels into a timeout at 24-22. An attack error by Missouri State would end the chance at a comeback as Carolina sealed the deal with a 25-22 win. Haydel picked up seven of her 11 digs in the in the second set, while Brooks led the team with five kills and four block assists. Setter Stephanie Jansma chipped in three block assists as well with the Tar Heels blocking four shots in the set.
The Tar Heels would not let the sweep get away as they scored the first three points of the third set and would never trail en route to a 25-18 victory. Carolina would take an 11-point lead at 23-12 and would appear to have the match wrapped up but a 5-0 run would put that in jeopardy as the Bears attempted to mount a late comeback. A pair of service errors by Missouri State would end the match and give Carolina its first win of the year. The Tar Heels hit a season-high .500 committing no errors for the second set of the night. Haydel stepped up big once again picking up a team-high five kills, while Brianna Eskola picked up six of her 14 digs on the night.
Carolina will take on Georgetown who was a 3-0 winner over Davidson in the first match Friday at 12 noon Saturday in the Dean E. Smith Center before closing out the tournament against Davidson at 7 p.m.
