UNC Drops Close Match to VCU in Weekend Opener

Friday, September 20

Chapel Hill, N.C.

6:30 PM

North Carolina

1-7

VCU

7-5

VCU

North Carolina

Photo by: Jeffrey A. Camarati

September 20, 2019 | Volleyball

Box Score Photo Gallery

CHAPEL HILL – The Tar Heels fought through 33 tie scores throughout the match, however VCU claimed the 3-1 decision to begin the Carolina Classic on Friday night in Carmichael Arena.

Lauren Harrison led the Tar Heels offensively and recorded a career-best 17 kills with Parker Austin tacking on 10 kills and a career-best five blocks. Hunter Atherton dished out a season-best 25 assists while Mia Fradenburg was one off a career best to finish the match with 23 digs. VCU balanced its attack among Vicky Giommarini, Gina Tuzzolo and Paula Neciporuka who each recorded double-digit kills. Led by Kat Young's eight total blocks, VCU out-blocked Carolina, 15.0-9.0. The Rams improve to 7-5 while Carolina slides to 1-7.

Carolina jumped to an early 7-3 lead to begin the match, beginning with a kill by Carly Peck and Karenna Wurl ace – the first of six for UNC in the contest. VCU regained their momentum on a six-point run with Dajah Ard at the line for the Rams, leading UNC to call a timeout. After two more kills by Harrison and an ace from Fradenburg, VCU tied the game at 24-all, causing the Heels to call another timeout. However the Rams clinched the 1-0 lead on a block by Kat Young and Jaelyn Jackson for the 27-25 decision.

Picking up momentum, UNC opened up the second set with the first three points and never gave up the lead throughout the frame. An ace from Fradenburg and a kill from Harrison gave the Heels a five-point lead early in the set. Kills from Skyy Howard, Skylar Wine, Austin gave UNC the greatest lead of the set, 17-11. However, the Rams answered back with a pair of kills as Carolina called a timeout. Aristea Tontai swatted a pair of kills out of the timeout, giving the Heels a 20-16 lead. Carolina closed out the set on a pair of blocks and two kills from Howard for the 25-21 win to even up the match, 1-1.

Trading points throughout the start of the match, neither team took more than a two point lead until the 13-11 mark when Austin and Howard connected for a block. Kills by Harrison and Austin kept the energy high, as well as an effective challenge in the middle of the set that gave the ball back to the Heels. The Rams answered back to tie the set at 14-all as UNC called time. Following the timeout, Wine and Howard both recorded kills, but VCU secured the 25-23 set with a Young-Jasmin Sneed block.

Mirroring the third set, Carolina fought to the end with the Rams, keeping the frame within reach until a six-point rally that gave VCU a 19-16 lead. Harrison swatted five kills in the frame while Peck tallied four, totaling eight for the match – a career-best. A late 4-0 rally, including a block by Atherton and Katharine Esterley, knotted the set at 23-23. Carolina went point-for-point with VCU, battling through four match points. However, Giommarini swatted her 14th kill of the night for the 30-28 set win for the Ram's seventh win of the season.

Carolina Stat Leaders
» Kills: Lauren Harrison (17)
» Assists: Hunter Atherton (25)
» Digs: Mia Fradenburg (23)
» Blocks: Parker Austin (5)

Up Next
The Tar Heels wrap up the Carolina Classic with a pair of matches vs. Colgate at noon and Radford at 6:30 p.m. Saturday in Carmichael Arena.

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