Volleyball Downs No. 14 Duke, 3-1

Friday, October 9

Chapel Hill, N.C.

6:30 PM

North Carolina

2-1,2-1ACC

Duke

3-1,3-1ACC

Duke

North Carolina

Photo by: Dana Gentry

October 9, 2020 | Volleyball

Box Score Box Score Photo Gallery

CHAPEL HILL – Defending its home court, North Carolina topped No. 14 Duke in four sets on Friday night in Carmichael Arena to hand the Blue Devils their first loss of the season.

Although Duke led 19-13 early in set one, the Tar Heels settled in to take the frame, 26-24, attacking at a .447 clip. UNC's momentum continued into the second set, 25-17, before the Blue Devils responded with a 25-20 set three win. However, Carolina clinched the win in four, 25-16, led by four kills apiece by Destiny Cox and Parker Austin and 11 digs by Karenna Wurl in the frame.

The Tar Heels balanced their offense between Amanda Phegley, Aziah Buckner and Austin each with double-digit kills while Wurl grounded the back row with a career-best 24 digs. Freshmen Buckner and Maylen Mitrovich each recorded a double-double in the victory. Duke's Ade Owokoniran led the Blue Devils with a double-double consisting of 16 kills and 15 digs.

Carolina (2-1) and Duke (3-1) return to Carmichael Arena Sunday at 5:30 p.m. live on ACCN.

How It Happened

The Tar Heels came out strong in the first set with an early kill by Buckner. The set went back and forth until the Blue Devils jumped to a notable six-point lead. Carolina was forced into a second timeout at the 21-15 mark. However, Merkler came out of the timeout with one of her five kills in the set to spark the Tar Heels' momentum. Carolina went on a 5-1 run to force a Duke timeout as the frame was knotted at 23-all. The set remained tight until Austin's fourth kill to give the Heels a 26-24 win in the first set.

The Tar Heels carried the energy from the first set to take an early 8-3 lead. Back-to-back blocks from Phegley and Carly Peck forced Duke to call time early in the frame. Carolina's strength continued with a 9-0 run to give the Heels a commanding 21-8 edge. Duke attempted to bounce back, but the Heels held on to take the second set 25-17.

Following the intermission, the Blue Devils established an early 7-3 lead in set three. A kill by Austin brought the Heels within one at the 17-16 mark. However, Duke held onto its lead thanks to five kills by Gracie Johnson and four team blocks in the frame. The Blue Devils clinched the 25-20 third set decision.

Although the teams traded points early in the fourth set with a trio of tie scores and two lead changes, the Blue Devils broke away for a 7-4 lead. Duke maintained its lead until a block by Cox and Merkler tied the set at 10. With Buckner back to serve, the Tar Heels capitalized on the blocking momentum, going on an 8-0 run to claim a 15-10 lead. Another 5-1 run put Carolina at match point before Merkler clinched the 25-16 win with her ninth kill of the night.

Carolina Stat Leaders
» Kills: Amanda Phegley (13), Aziah Buckner (12), Parker Austin (12)
» Hitting percentage: Amanda Phegley (.600, 13 kills), Kaya Merkler (.412, 9 kills)
» Assists: Maylen Mitrovich (30)
» Digs: Karenna Wurl (24)

Notable
» Freshmen Maylen Mitrovich (30 assists, 11 digs) and Aziah Buckner (12 kills, 10 digs) recorded double-doubles.
» Both Karenna Wurl (24 digs) and Maylen Mitrovich (30 assists) reset single-match career-highs.
» The Tar Heels have now won four-straight matches against Duke and lead the series, 63-56.

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Gallery: (10-9-2020) UNC Downs Duke 3-1