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University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
Southeast Missouri State
Carolina Tames Redhawks 3-1
September 3, 2010 | Volleyball
Sept. 3, 2010
SPRINGFIELD, MO. -- Heather Henry registered a career-best 16 kills to lead North Carolina over Southeast Missouri State 3-1 (25-14, 23-25, 25-15, 25-13) in the second match of the JQH Invitational Friday evening at Hammons Student Center. Carolina earned their second win of the day to improve to 4-1 on the season.
Setters Cora Harms and Erica Behm each posted double-doubles. Harms notched 27 assists and 11 digs, and Behm added 25 assists and 13 digs. Shelbey Bleke registered 10 kills and five blocks, both new career-highs. Courtney Johnston added 13 kills and Kaylie Gibson 22 digs to round out the performances for UNC.
"I have a lot of respect for how hard that team plays," said head coach Joe Sagula. "They are a scrappy bunch and really made us work hard for the win."
Carolina controlled the first set with a balanced attack en route to posting a .314 hitting percentage to win the first frame 25-14. Johnston and Henry led UNC with four kills apiece, while Behm added a pair of service aces. The Tar Heels registered three team blocks to the Redhawks' zero.
The Redhawks earned their first lead of the match at 15-14 and never looked back to win set two 25-23. Carolina suffered from a couple service errors and five attack errors. The Tar Heels evened the score at 23, but their rally fell short as Southeast Missouri State proved too much.
The Tar Heels responded in the third frame jumping out to a 16-5 lead. UNC withstood another Redhawks' run to win set three 25-15. The Tar Heels turned in a .300 hitting percentage led by four Johnston kills.
Carolina was efficient in the fourth and final frame winning 25-13, their biggest margin of victory of in a set this season. Trailing 8-4 to start the fourth set, Carolina used a 6-0 run to push in front 10-8. UNC hit at a match-best .444 clip in the fourth set, led by six Henry kills.
Freshmen Kayla Berringer and Kaitlyn Anderson appeared in their first collegiate matches Friday. Anderson earned a service ace in her collegiate debut.
Carolina will resume play in the JQH Invitational Saturday at 12:30 p.m. CST against Texas A&M. Carolina will conclude the tournament challenging host Missouri State at 7:30 p.m. CST Saturday. All games will be from Hammons Student Center in Springfield, Mo.
