Tar Heels Out-Block Clemson in Sunday Sweep

Sunday, November 3

Chapel Hill, N.C.

1 PM

North Carolina

11-11, 8-4ACC

Clemson

10-13, 4-8ACC

Clemson

North Carolina

Photo by: Jeffrey A. Camarati

November 3, 2019 | Volleyball

Box Score

CHAPEL HILL – Limiting Clemson to a .018 hitting percentage, North Carolina tallied 15 blocks in route to a three set sweep over the Tigers on Sunday Afternoon in Carmichael Arena.

"I loved how we came out really focused in the first set," head coach Joe Sagula said. "The challenge with a great start is momentum shifts. We were down 7-3 in the second set and came back and refocused. Most importantly, we came in with a really good focus, playing poised and confident early that was the difference for us."

Destiny Cox led the Tar Heels' offense with a match-best 11 kills while Skyy Howard tacked on six as well as contributing to eight of UNC's 15 total blocks. Aristea Tontai posted six blocks while Cox tallied four. Karenna Wurl paced Carolina defensively with 13 digs while Parker Austin posted 11 for her fifth match with double-figure digs. Solei Thomas led the Tigers with nine kills and a team-best .182 hitting percentage. Picking up their third ACC sweep of the season, the Tar Heels improve to 11-11 overall, 8-4 in conference play. Clemson falls to 10-13, 4-8 in the ACC.

The Tar Heels set the tone early in the first set allowing Clemson only three of the first 14 points. Three blocks gave the Tar Heels the advantage, followed by a five-point run, featuring three kills by Cox. Following a timeout, Ashtyne Alberts earned the Tigers' their first kill of a three-point run. However, a pair of kills by Austin sparked another five-point run for the Heels. Howard's fourth block of the set ended a Tigers' 3-0 run. Ending the set on a 5-1 run, Cox and Tontai clinched the set 25-14 set win with UNC's sixth block of the frame.

Clemson jumped to an early 7-3 lead on a five-point run to begin the second set, despite an ace from Wurl. A Carolina timeout proved beneficial when the Heels went on a six-point run following the break, including a pair of blocks by Tontai and Cox. Although Clemson fought back throughout the set, Carolina maintained a steady lead led by three kills from Cox. Mirroring the first set, a block by Carly Peck and Tontai earned the two-set lead, 25-17.

Although the Tigers got on the board first with a kill from Jori Radtke, Carolina earned the next five points, including three blocks, all of which Howard contributed to. A solo block by Tontai ended a three-point Clemson run early in the frame. Following a media timeout, the Tigers managed to score three, but Peck snapped the run with one of her five total kills, extending UNC's lead to 16-13. Clemson worked to close the gap, but the Tar Heels held their lead despite another three point run by Clemson. Howard's sixth kill of the match clinched the 25-20 set win and sweep of the Tigers.

Carolina Stat Leaders
» Kills: Destiny Cox (11)
» Assists: Hunter Atherton (20)
» Digs: Karenna Wurl (13)
» Total Blocks: Skyy Howard (8)

Noteworthy
» Today's sweep marked the third-consecutive Sunday sweep for the Tar Heels.
» The Tar Heels out-blocked their opponent for the 12th time this season.

Up Next
Remaining in North Carolina, Carolina travels to Duke Thursday at 6:30 p.m. and Wake Forest Sunday at 1 p.m.

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