Carolina Tops Virginia Tech, 3-1

Sunday, October 6

Chapel Hill, N.C.

1 PM

North Carolina

Virginia Tech

October 6, 2019 | Volleyball

Box Score

CHAPEL HILL – Balancing the Tar Heels offense between Lauren Harrison, Parker Austin and Aristea Tontai who each recorded double-digit kills, North Carolina downed Virginia Tech, 3-1, on Sunday afternoon in Carmichael Arena.

Despite dropping a close second set, Carolina outlasted the Hokies thanks to 10 blocks and pivotal aces by Tontai and Ryan Shannon. Led by seven blocks from Tontai and four from Hunter Atherton, UNC has recorded double-digit blocks in eight matches, including the past four in a row. Mia Fradenburg led the match with 20 digs while Austin quietly recorded a double-double with 14 digs. Virginia Tech spilt its offense between Cera Powell, Kaity Smith and Marisa Cerchio who each recorded 10+ kills while Smith picked up a double-double with 16 digs. The Tar Heels improve to 5-9 on the season, 2-2 in ACC play while Virginia Tech falls to 7-10 overall, 0-4 in conference.

UNC started the match confidently, taking the first point with a kill from Austin, and held their lead the entire set. Leading 12-6, the Tar Heels forced a Virginia Tech timeout following kills from Harrison, Carly Peck and Skyy Howard. The Hokies briefly gained momentum after the timeout, but a 5-1 Carolina run led VT to call another timeout with UNC up 22-14. Kills by Tontai and Peck sealed the set for the Tar Heels, 25-20.

The Tar Heels and Hokies fought through 17 tie scores with the lead changing eight times throughout the second set. Virginia Tech went on 5-1 run to lead 22-20 as UNC called its first timeout. Destiny Cox sent a kill to the back pin to prevail through one set point before the Virginia Tech closed the second set, 25-22, and tied the match, 1-1.

The Tar Heels jumped an early lead in the third set with kills from five Tar Heels before Tontai's ace caused a Virginia Tech timeout as the Hokies would eventually both in the first half of the set. However, the Hokies bounced back with a 7-0 scoring streak, which forced UNC to take a timeout. Coming off the bench, back-to-back blocks by Katharine Esterley and Atherton followed a Harrison kill brought UNC to the set point, 24-22. A block by Tontai and Atherton secured the second set, 25-22, with UNC leading the match, 2-1.

Mirroring the second set, Virginia Tech jumped on the board first and led 15-11 at the media timeout. Carolina bounced back to cut the deficit to two on back-to-back kills by Austin as the Hokies called time in an attempt to slow UNC's momentum. A block by Tontai and Atherton brought it within one before an attack error knotted the frame at 18-all. A block by Howard and pivotal ace by Shannon off the bench gave the Tar Heels what they needed to win the match, 3-1, taking the set, 25-21.

Carolina Stat Leaders
» Kills: Lauren Harrison (22)
» Assists: Hunter Atherton (35)
» Digs: Mia Fradenburg (20)
» Total Blocks: Aristea Tontai (7))

Noteworthy
» For the third straight match, Harrison reset her single-match best to 22 kills.
» The Tar Heels set a season high with 69 kills – the most digs since UNC had 70 vs. Oklahoma on Sept. 7, 2018.

Up Next
The Tar Heels remain home to host Miami Friday at 6:30 p.m. and Florida State Sunday at noon.

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