Tar Heels Fall To No. 14 Duke

Sunday, October 11

Chapel Hill, N.C.

5:30 PM

North Carolina

2-2,2-2ACC

Duke

4-1,4-1ACC

Duke

North Carolina

Photo by: Jeffrey A. Camarati

October 11, 2020 | Volleyball

Box Score Box Score Photo Gallery

CHAPEL HILL – Despite 19 kills by Destiny Cox, North Carolina dropped a four-set match to the 14th-ranked Blue Devils on Sunday evening in Carmichael Arena.

Attacking at a .438 clip to open the match, No. 14 Duke took the first set, 25-21. An 8-1 rally late in the second set paced Carolina to a 26-24 set two victory to knot the match at 1-1. However, the Blue Devils responded with a balanced attack in the third set, 25-18, and continued on in the fourth, 25-21, for the 3-1 win in Chapel Hill.

In addition to Cox's 19 kills, both Aziah Buckner and Kaya Merkler tallied seven to highlight UNC's offense. Maylen Mitrovich paced Carolina with season-highs, 23 assists and 13 digs, for her third double-double in as many matches. Duke balanced its offense between Ade Owokoniran and Payton Schwantz who both recorded double-doubles in kills and digs. The Tar Heels fall to 2-2- while Duke improves to 4-1 on the season.

Carolina resumes play vs. NC State on Friday and Sunday in Raleigh, N.C.

How It Happened
Although the set was close to start, a 4-0 run with a pair of kills by Schwantz gave the Blue Devils a lead they would not relinquish. A block by Cox and Kaya Merkler ended a Duke rally and sparked a UNC run. Aziah Buckner extended the run with an ace before the Blue Devils called time to dampen the momentum. Carolina fought through a set point but Duke took the first set, 25-21.

The battle continued in the second set as Carolina and Duke worked through 10 tie scores and six lead changes. A block by Cox and Aristea Tontai held UNC's edge at two points before the media timeout. The Blue Devils went on a 9-1 run after the break to reclaim the lead at the 23-21 mark. However, UNC rallied through four set points with a pair of kills by Cox, including successful challenge by the Tar Heels. An ace by Ryan Shannon knotted the set at 25-all before Parker Austin and Merkler stuffed the Duke attack for the 26-24 win.

Duke bounced back in the third set, jumping to a 9-6 lead as Carolina called time early frame. The Blue Devils attacked at a .357 clip with four kills by Schwantz to maintain their lead. Carolina fought to the end with late kills by Buckner and an ace by Sydney Reed but it was not enough as Duke earned the 25-18 win for a 2-1 edge.

Carolina looked to even things up in the fourth set as there were 13 tie scores and six lead changes. Merkler's sixth kill of the match forced a Duke timeout as Carolina led 12-9. The Blue Devils responded with a rally of their own before Mitrovich dumped the ball for a kill to knot the set at 14-all. The Tar Heels formed a triple block with Mitrovich, Buckner and Amanda Phegley to reclaim the lead at 17-16. Another Buckner-Phegley block knotted the set at 21-all. However, Duke clinched the win on a four-point run, 25-21.

Carolina Stat Leaders
» Kills: Destiny Cox (19)
» Hitting percentage: Destiny Cox (.283, 19 kills)
» Assists: Maylen Mitrovich (23)
» Digs: Maylen Mitrovich (13)

Notable
» Freshmen Maylen Mitrovich (23 assists, 13 digs) registered her third double-double of the season.
» Destiny Cox set a season-best of 19 kills.

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Gallery: (10-11-2020) Tar Heels Fall To Blue Devils