Tar Heels Fall to No. 9 Wisconsin in Season Opener

Friday, August 24

Minneapolis

5:30 PM

North Carolina

0-1

Wisconsin

1-0

Team	1	2	3	Final F
North Carolina	13	18	16	0
Wisconsin	25	25	25	3

August 24, 2018 | Volleyball

Box Score

MINNEAPOLIS – Despite Destiny Cox's match-high of 13 kills, No. 9 Wisconsin topped North Carolina in straight sets on Friday evening's 2018 season opener at the Target Center. The veteran Badgers attacked at a .420 clip throughout the match winning each set, 25-13, 25-18, 25-16.

Carolina earned the first point of the 2018 season opener, but Wisconsin quickly took a commanding seven-point lead at the 11-4 mark. Cox and Madison Laufenberg each logged three kills in the frame. However, the Badgers hit .611 in the set, led by Molly Haggery with five kills. The Tar Heels worked back to bring the score within nine, but the Badgers solidified the 25-13 win in the opening set.

Carolina came alive to begin the second set, taking a 4-3 lead thanks to back-to-back kills by Cox and a Greer Moseman ace. Raleigh Clark entered the match and quickly went to work by coming up with a crucial kill after a long rally. After battling through eight tie scores, the Badgers' balanced attack helped them reclaim the lead after a Carolina service error knotted the game at 12-12. Cox and Clark connected for a block coming out of the timeout, but it was not enough to overcome the Badgers in the second set for a 25-18 decision.

The Badgers' attack continued in the third set, jumping to a nine point lead. Laufenberg and Katharine Esterley connected for back-to-back blocks in the third frame to total eight for the match. Carolina went on a three-point run to force a Wisconsin timeout. With seven kills in the third frame, Dana Rettke paced the Badgers after the timeout to close the match with a 25-16 set win.

Cox led the Tar Heels' attack with a match-high 13 kills while Ava Bell tacked on six. Hunter Atherton set 25 of Carolina's 28 kills with Mia Fradenburg collecting 12 digs. With four Badgers attacking over .400, Dana Rettke tallied a team-high 10 kills.

The Tar Heels wrap up the weekend, taking on Golden Gophers Saturday at 8 p.m. ET. Fans can watch live on the Big Ten Network. Live stats are available at GopherSports.com.

The Tar Heels return home Aug. 31 and Sept. 1 to host UNCG, Maryland-Eastern Shore and Michigan State for the Carolina Classic, played in Carmichael Arena.

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