Volleyball Defeats NC State in Straight Sets

Friday, October 16

Raleigh, N.C.

7 PM

North Carolina

3-2,3-2ACC

NC State

0-3,0-3ACC

North Carolina

NC State

October 16, 2020 | Volleyball

Box Score Highlights

RALEIGH, N.C. – Led by a balanced offense and a season-high of 13.5 total blocks, North Carolina earned its first sweep of the season, defeating the Wolfpack, 3-0, at Reynolds Coliseum on Friday night.

Although NC State managed a lead in every set, the Tar Heels spread their attack to steady the offense. A trio of 5-1 runs in the first frame positioned UNC for the 25-20 win. Mirroring the first set, a late 6-1 run helped Carolina clinch the frame, 25-20 for a second time. The Wolfpack continued to fight with the third frame tied at 15-all. However, a four-point UNC rally would be enough for the edge and a 25-18 final set for the 3-0 win.

Beginning the match in a 5-1 system, the Tar Heels balanced their offense between middle hitter Amanda Phegley with eight error-less kills and pins Carly Peck and Aziah Buckner each with seven. Middle blocker Kaya Merkler accounted for six of UNC's 13.5 blocks before the Tar Heels transitioned to a 6-2 allowing for blocks by Aristea Tontai and Skyy Howard. Maylen Mitrovich assisted 20 of UNC's 34 kills while Karenna Wurl tallied 17 digs to ground the back row an limit the Wolfpack to a .098 clip throughout the night. Olivia Daiz and Buckner led the Tar Heels with two aces apiece.

NC State's Jade Parchment led the Wolfpack with 14 kills while Kristen McDaniel posted a double-double with team-bests, 27 assists and 15 digs.

Carolina (3-2) returns to Reynolds Coliseum on Sunday for a 1 p.m. match against the Wolfpack (0-3).

How It Happened
Although NC State held a one-point lead to begin the match, an ace by Destiny Cox knotted the match at 7-7 before the Tar Heels began pulling away. Carolina went on a 5-1 run, featuring a block by Peck and Merkler, as NC State called time at the 13-9 mark. UNC extended its lead to seven with a Buckner-Merkler block. The Wolfpack brought it within five but an ace by Merkler gave UNC set point before an NC State service error gave the Tar Heels the 25-20 set one win.

A solo block by Buckner extended UNC's lead to 10-7 as the Wolfpack called time to end a four-point run. NC State went on a 5-1 run with a pair of kills by Parchment to claim the 16-15 lead. However, the Tar Heels successfully adjusted to a 6-2 offense bringing in Annabelle Archer and Howard, resulting in a 21-17 UNC lead. Archer connects with Tontai in the back pin for set point before a Wolfpack miscue finalized the set, 25-20.

The third set was close out of the gate but the Tar Heels began to pick up momentum heading into the media timeout with a 15-14 edge. A kill from Buckner and UNC's ninth block of the night forced NC State to call time. The Tar Heels went on a 5-1 run featuring three blocks and a pair of Merkler kills as the Wolfpack used its second timeout. On another 7-2 run, juniors Cox and Phegley put the final two points on the board for the 25-18 victory.

Carolina Stat Leaders
» Kills: Amanda Phegley (8), Carly Peck (7), Aziah Buckner (67
» Hitting percentage: Amanda Phegley (8 kills, .800)
» Assists: Maylen Mitrovich (20)
» Blocks: Kaya Merkler (6)
» Digs: Karenna Wurl (17)

Notable
» Carolina picked up its first sweep of the season and first since Nov. 21, 2019.
» Skyy Howard made her season debut in the second set.
» UNC out-aced NC State, 6-3, and out-blocked the Wolfpack, 12-6.

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