Tar Heels Earn 3-2 Comeback Win at NC State

Wednesday, October 2

Raleigh, N.C.

7 PM

North Carolina

4-9

NC State

5-10

North Carolina

NC State

October 3, 2019 | Volleyball

Box Score

RALEIGH, N.C. – Coming down to the fifth set and trailing 3-8 at the half-way point, North Carolina fought its way to victory on a pair of five-point runs to defeat NC State, 15-12 in the set, and take the match, 3-2 Wednesday night at Reynolds Coliseum.

After dropping the first set by the minimum, two points, the Tar Heels bounced back to take the second and third sets. UNC held the Wolfpack to a .000 attack percentage in the third set. NC State responded to take the fourth set and take an early lead in the fifth. However, Carolina showed its resiliency and earned its first five-set win of 2019. The Tar Heels improve to 4-9 and 1-2 in the ACC while NC State falls to 5-10, 0-3 in conference.

"We knew this was going to be a battle," head coach Joe Sagula said. "NC State is scrappy and plays tough defense. They have some great hitters too. For us, the biggest turnaround for us was the three-straight blocks by Skyy Howard in the fifth set. To be down like we were and come back, unbelievable. It's a credit to this team and that they stayed with it. All around our offense was great, but our hats go off especially to our defensive players who kept us in the match with key digs. … I'm just so excited for our team to get this first ACC victory on the road in a tough environment. We showed poise and it helps build confidence for what is to come."

UNC's defense, led by 15 digs from Mia Fradenburg, steadied the Tar Heels and limited State to a .152 attack percentage. Carolina reset its season-best total blocks to 19.5 – the most blocks in a match since UNC had 21.5 vs. Wake Forest in 2017. Skyy Howard reset her single-match best to 11 blocks – the most by a Tar Heel this season. Offensively, Lauren Harrison led Carolina with 21 kills to up her match-best for the second time this week. NC State balanced its attack between Melissa Evans, Jade Parchment and Jessica Kemp who each logged double-digit kills.

Totaling 11 kills on the day, Parker Austin earned the first point of the match for Carolina. The Wolfpack jumped to an early lead as NCSU went on a five-point run with libero Grace Irvin at the line. Howard and Harrison connected for UNC's first block to bring the Heels within one. NC State maintained a steady three point lead through the media timeout before pulling away on a 4-0 run, broken up by a Carly Peck solo block. Carolina responded with a five-point run of its own with Aristea Tontai serving that forced an NC State timeout. The Tar Heels fought through two set points, including a solo block by Howard, but State's Melissa Evans earned the 25-23 set one decision.

Back-to-back aces by Karenna Wurl helped Carolina to a 5-0 run as NC State used its first timeout at the 8-3 mark. An unsuccessful four-touch challenge by the Wolfpack, Howard's third kill stood and UNC maintained an 11-8 lead. Destiny Cox earned her fourth kill of the night as part of a 3-1 run causing the Wolfpack to call time at the 17-13 mark. However, a 5-1 Wolfpack run knotted up the frame at 18-all. A block by Harrison and Hunter Atherton made it 20-19, Carolina. Ending the set on a 5-0 run, UNC knotted up the match at 1-1 with a 25-20 decision.

A block by Harrison and Tontai knotted the set at 3-3. Despite trailing by four early, the Tar Heels continued with a 9-2 run with steady serving by Tontai and Cox to lead 15-11 at the media timeout. Harrison posted six kills in the frame while Fradenburg picked up six digs. Carolina continued to dominate, limiting the Wolfpack to a .000 attack percentage in the frame. UNC took a 2-1 lead, winning the third set, 25-18.

NC State bounced back in the fourth set, taking a 11-4 lead. However, 4-1 run put the Tar Heels in striking distance thanks to back-to-back kills by Harrison. An unsuccessful challenge for the Wolfpack confirmed Harrison's 16th kill of the night to cut Carolina's deficit to three, 12-15. Greer Moseman came in and picked up four digs and an ace in the set. Atherton and Howard formed UNC's 14th block to make it 18-20 before State responded with a three-point run. The Tar Heels brought it within three, but State earned the 25-21 decision to force a fifth set.

The Wolfpack's momentum continued in the fifth set, putting four unanswered points on the board. After switching sides, Carolina went on a four-point run to bring the match within one as State called time. With the frame tied at 11-all, State used the last timeout of the set. A trio of blocks from Howard gave UNC the momentum it needed. Despite NC State challenging the final play, Carolina ended the match on a 6-1 run for the 3-2, comeback victory.

Carolina Stat Leaders
» Kills: Lauren Harrison (21)
» Assists: Hunter Atherton (37)
» Digs: Mia Fradenburg (15)
» Total Blocks: Skyy Howard (11)
» Aces: Aristea Tontai (3)

Noteworthy
» The Tar Heels upped their season-best to 19.5 total blocks. Carolina reset its season-best from 15.0 blocks against Louisville on Sunday.
» For the second consecutive match, Lauren Harrison set a new single-match best with 21 kills.
» Skyy Howard more than doubled her single-match high to 11 total blocks – the most blocks by a Tar Heel this season.
» The win marks Carolina's first comeback win of the season and first five-set win this year.

Up Next
The Tar Heels open ACC play at home Sunday vs. Virginia Tech at 1 p.m.

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