Volleyball Falls In Four On Senior Day To Miami

Sunday, November 21

Chapel Hill

1 PM

North Carolina

20-8,9-8ACC

Miami

23-4,14-3ACC

Miami (FL)

North Carolina

Photo by: Jeffrey A. Camarati

November 21, 2021 | Volleyball

Box Score Photo Gallery

By: Ella Coxe, Communications Assistant

CHAPEL HILL – The Carolina volleyball team fell in four sets to Miami in a hard fought, back-and-forth match on Sunday afternoon in Carmichael Arena.

Mabrey Shaffmaster led the Tar Heels and tied a match-best of 20 kills to go with 12 digs, while Nia Parker-Robinson (17), Kaya Merkler (13) and Amanda Phegley (12) all finished the match with double-digit kills.

As a team, Carolina was out attacked by the Hurricanes .224 to .200.

"I'm so proud of all of our seniors and graduate students today," head coach Joe Sagula said following the match.

"I'm grateful for their patience over the years to help put this team in a position for a great season. They have impacted so many in their time at Carolina, both on and off the court. This was a tough match for the team and the seniors. I wanted this win for them because they competed so hard. They pushed a very good Miami team to its limits. This team has a lot to be proud of and grateful for. We will be ready for next week and, hopefully, a post-season run."

How it Happened
Set One – Carolina: 25, Miami: 21
Erin Boone got the Tar Heels started, opening the match with a kill from the right side. With Miami up 2-1, Carolina went on a 6-0 run to take an early 7-2 advantage. With the Tar Heels in control, up 11-7, the Hurricanes went on a 9-2 run to regain the lead. Six kills from Shaffmaster and five from Phegley, however, proved too much for Miami, with Carolina taking a one set lead. UNC out-hit Miami .256 to .091 in the set.

Set Two – Carolina: 24, Miami: 26
Phegley opened the second set with her sixth kill of the match. With the set tied up at six, back-to-back points from Carolina put the Tar Heels up 8-6. Miami responded with a 5-0 run of their own, going ahead 14-10, a lead they held onto. Despite the Tar Heels forcing two set points, Miami tied it up at one set apiece behind .432 hitting. Nia Parker-Robinson dominated offensively in the set with a team-best seven kills on .462 hitting.

Set Three – Carolina: 27, Miami: 29
Despite trailing by as many as five points in the third set, Carolina forced six set points before Miami was able to take a 2-1 set lead. Shaffmaster had seven kills in the set, while Olivia Diaz contributed six big digs.

Set Four – Carolina: 22, Miami: 25
Carolina's worst attacking set of the match came in the fourth, hitting -.057 compared to .105 from the Hurricanes. After trading points to open the set, Miami and Carolina were tied at 10 midway through the set. That's when Miami went on an 8-3 run to go ahead 16-12. After a Parker-Robinson kill brought the Tar Heels back to within three, the Hurricanes went on a 6-1 run to lead 22-14. Although Carolina responded with a 4-0 run, Miami went on to take the set.

UNC falls to 20-8 (9-8 ACC) on the season.

Up next, the Tar Heels travel to Durham to play Duke on Nov. 26 at 6:30 p.m. The match will be streamed on the ACCNX.

Carolina Stat Leaders:
» Kills: Mabrey Shaffmaster (20), Nia Parker-Robinson (18)
» Hitting percentage: Amanda Phegley (.492)
» Assists: Meghan Neelon (55)
» Blocks: Amanda Phegley (4)
» Digs: Karenna Wurl (15), Olivia Diaz (12)

Stay up to date with Carolina Volleyball by following the Tar Heels on Twitter and Instagram.