Carolina Upsets No. 23 Florida State in 3-2 Comeback Victory

Sunday, October 13

Chapel Hill, N.C.

Noon

North Carolina

7-9, 4-2ACC

Florida State

10-5, 4-2ACC

Florida State

North Carolina

Photo by: Jeffrey A. Camarati

October 13, 2019 | Volleyball

Box Score Photo Gallery

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Battling back from a two-set deficit on Sunday afternoon, North Carolina came from behind to upset No. 23 Florida State, 3-2, in Carmichael Arena for the Tar Heels' first win over a ranked opponent since 2016.

"I'm proud of this team and how they stayed together at a time when you're down 0-2 against a ranked opponent," head coach Joe Sagula said. "We've struggled with Florida State at times and they're a really good time. We showed maturity. Where we've come in a month is amazing. I'm so proud of their trust in each other and their coaches. They're maturing in the game and that's what this match is about."

The first set featured 14 tie scores FSU earned a narrow win before picking up momentum to take a two-set advantage at the intermission. However, the Tar Heels bounced back in the third to defeat the Seminoles in back-to-back sets, knotting up the match 2-2. Carolina's attack continued, taking the set, 15-10, for the upset victory.

With a career-high 24 kills by Lauren Harrison and 16 by Skylar Wine off the bench, the Tar Heels improved to 4-2 in conference play, 7-9 on the season. Seniors Mia Fradenburg and Greer Moseman led UNC's back row with 20 and 15 digs, respectively. Setting a career-high, Moseman's tough serving resulted in four aces for the Tar Heels.

The Tar Heels out-blocked the ACC's blocking leader 16.0 to 15.0, led by a career-best 8.0 by Destiny Cox. Morgan Chacon led the Seminoles with 20 kills and 17 digs while Adrian Ell also recorded a double-double with 27 assists and 12 digs. Florida State falls to 10-5 on the season, 4-2 in the ACC.

Battling point-for-point throughout the set, neither team took more than a three-point lead as there were 14 tie scores and four lead changes. The Seminoles and Heels battled through various long rallies, setting the tone for the match. Aristea Tontai changed the momentum in the middle of the set with a kill to bring the Heels within one, followed by a block with Cox and an ace. Timely kills by Harrison late the set tied the score at 22, 23 and 24. The Seminoles responded with back-to-back kills by Emma Clothier, and ended the set 26-24.

With an early 4-0 scoring run, the Seminoles were able to pull ahead with a lead they would never relinquish throughout the set. With a pair of blocks, Harrison changed the momentum for the Heels by breaking the Florida State run. However, the Seminoles responded with a kill by Taryn Knuth. After a 5-0 scoring run for Florida State, the Heels bounced back with back-to-back kills by Carly Peck to break the streak. Despite an ace by Karenna Wurl, Knuth finished off the set, 25-20, with a kill.

The Tar Heels came out ready to battle in the third set, jumping to an early lead on four-point run featuring a kill by Skylar Wine and pair of aces by Greer Moseman. The Seminoles answered by taking a 12-10 lead, breaking the Heels' four-point run with a kill by Payton Caffrey. However, Cox shifted the momentum back in favor of the Tar Heels with a kill forcing two Seminole errors. Another kill by Wine broke the tie, followed by a trio of Harrison kills extended the Tar Heel lead to 22-19. Wine ended the set with her eighth kill and a 25-21 win.

Despite the Seminoles took an early 2-0 lead, the Tar Heels tied up the match by taking the fourth set, 25-23. Moseman recorded her fourth ace of the day to give the Heels a 14-9 lead. Florida State fought back to bring it within one at the 19-18 mark. A kill and block by Cox put the Tar Heels back on track. A timely ace by Fradenburg earned the Heels the win over the Seminoles to force a fifth set.

The Tar Heels came out strong in the fifth set, starting with a kill by Harrison. The Seminoles responded with a kill, but Harrison answered with two more kills to give the Heels a 3-1 lead. Scrappy play with three errors on each side of the net allowed the Seminoles to tie it up at 6-6. Wine and Howard established the Heels lead with a two kills, making the score 10-6. A kill by Hunter Atherton brought the Heels to match point. A block by Tontai and Atherton finished the set 15-10 to win the match.

Carolina Stat Leaders
» Kills: Lauren Harrison (24)
» Assists: Hunter Atherton (46)
» Digs: Mia Fradenburg (20)
» Total Blocks: Destiny Cox (8)
» Service Aces: Greer Moseman (4)

Noteworthy
» The win over FSU marks Carolina's first win over a ranked opponent since 2016 when UNC topped then-ranked No. 10 Florida State, 3-2, on Nov. 6, 2016 in Tallahassee, Florida.
» Lauren Harrison reset her career-high to 24 kills, topping her previous season high of 22.
» Coming off the bench Greer Moseman set a career-best of four aces and 15 digs.

Up Next
The Tar Heels travel to Pittsburgh and Virginia on Friday and Sunday, respectively. The Heels will be back in Carmichael Area on Friday, October 25 to face Syracuse.

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