Volleyball Earns 3-1 Victory Over Wake Forest

Friday, October 8

Chapel Hill

6 PM

North Carolina

12-4,1-4ACC

Wake Forest

10-6,1-4ACC

Wake Forest

North Carolina

Photo by: Jeffrey A. Camarati

October 8, 2021 | Volleyball

Box Score

CHAPEL HILL – Behind double-digit kill nights from four Tar Heels, the Carolina volleyball team earned its first ACC win of the season on Friday in Carmichael Arena, coming from behind to beat Wake Forest 3-1.

Nia Parker-Robinson led the team with 17 kills, her tenth straight game in double-digits, while Mabrey Shaffmaster, who had 16 kills and seven digs, set a new career-high with a .419 attacking clip.

After missing Carolina's two games in Florida, Kaya Merkler returned to the starting lineup and contributed 10 kills and a team-high five blocks.

The Heels hit .285 in the match, their best attacking clip since facing Davidson on Sep. 18.

How it Happened (18-25, 25-22, 25-18, 25-21)
Despite opening the match with four straight points, Carolina (12-4, 1-4 ACC) got behind early in set one. Wake (10-6, 1-4 ACC) responded by winning eight of the next nine points to take the lead, holding onto the advantage for the rest of the set. Parker-Robinson contributed five kills in set one, while Meghan Neelon had a team-high seven assists and a service ace.

Set two was a back-and-forth battle of runs, with the Tar Heels holding a 15-12 advantage midway through, before Wake rallied back to bring it within one, 17-18. After the Heels were able to get some separation with back-to-back kills from Parker-Robinson, three straight points from the Deacons tied the set up at 20. Three Wake attack errors and a Parker-Robinson kill put Carolina up 24-20, but Wake was able to hold off match point twice, before a service error from the Deacons tied the match up at one set apiece.

Set three was highlighted by six kills from Shaffmaster, two service aces from Parker Austin and 14 assists from Neelon. With six ties and three lead changes in the set, neither team was able to hold onto the lead. The pivotal moment came when the Deacons got within one to make it 18-19, before the Tar Heels went on a 6-0 run to close out the set victory. The Heels hit .440 in the set, its best attacking set of the night.

Five Shaffmaster kills and three kills from each Amanda Phegley, Kaya Merkler, Parker-Robinson and Emily Zinger in set four pushed the Heels to the 25-21 set victory to take the match, despite a competive 11 ties in the set. Olivia Diaz sealed the match with back-to-back service aces.

Hear from the Heels:
Overall thoughts…
"Tonight's match was a real battle. I thought Wake Forest played well. They were well prepared and played tenacious defense. I like the way our team responded as they were equally prepared and able to sustain our game plan.

We were able to make a few adjustments and improve our level and match their defense as the match progressed. This was a defining night for our team as we were able to build confidence in making some key plays at the end of sets 2 and 4. I really liked the way Meghan ran a balanced offense and how hard our middles, Merkler and Phegley, worked. Zinger, Parker-Robinson and Shaffmaster played aggressive and smart throughout. Special credit goes to Olivia Diaz who raised her level as our libero. She made some key defensive stops and her performace at the service line sparked the team at key moments.

We want to build on this, especially playing well in Carmicahel. Now we get to focus on our Sunday match and find ways to make continued progress to win the weekend at home." – head coach Joe Sagula

Thoughts coming into tonight…
"I was ready to win a game and ready to go all out. We talk a lot about 'aggressive cockiness' and having that mindset. It really helps." – graduate Emily Zinger

The Heels return to Carmichael on Sunday to host Virginia Tech at 1 p.m.