University of North Carolina Athletics
Saturday, August 21
Chapel Hill
3 PM
North Carolina
1-0,0-0ACC
3
vs
0
High Point
0-1,0-0Big South
1
2
3
F
High Point
16
15
17
0
North Carolina
25
25
25
3
nia par
Photo by: Jeffrey A. Camarati
Carolina Volleyball Newcomers Shine In Weekend Matches
August 22, 2021 | Volleyball
CHAPEL HILL – The Tar Heels shook off the rust of the preseason this weekend, hosting two matches in Carmichael Arena.
On Friday night, Carolina held the Blue-White scrimmage, an intrasquad match, giving the seven newcomers on the team a chance to put on a game jersey and play in front of the home crowd.
Then on Saturday, the Heels hosted an exhibition against High Point University, its first non-ACC opponent since Sep. 21, 2019, and earned a 3-1 victory.
Carolina dominated the Panthers in the first three sets, with the Tar Heel newcomers shining in their debuts.
Graduate transfer Nia Parker-Robinson had a team-high seven kills, putting on display the dominating force she is around the net.
As a team, Carolina recorded 38 kills, six from each Skyy Howard, Mabrey Shaffmaster, Kaya Merkler and Emily Zinger.
Both Annabelle Archer and Meghan Neelon split time setting, with Neelon accounting for double-digit assists. Neelon also had two service aces.
The Heels took the first three sets 25-16, 25-15 and 25-17, outscoring High Point 55-33, before falling to the Panthers in the final set, 25-12.
However, because of the format of the NCAA LiveStats program, stats were not kept for the fourth set.
"There were some really good things that happened this weekend," head coach Joe Sagula said.
"Our young players did such a good job. We built some confidence and learned the things that we need to work on."
Now Carolina will turn its attention to the regular season, which it opens on the road at the SMU Tournament on Aug. 27 in University Park, Texas.
On Friday night, Carolina held the Blue-White scrimmage, an intrasquad match, giving the seven newcomers on the team a chance to put on a game jersey and play in front of the home crowd.
Then on Saturday, the Heels hosted an exhibition against High Point University, its first non-ACC opponent since Sep. 21, 2019, and earned a 3-1 victory.
Carolina dominated the Panthers in the first three sets, with the Tar Heel newcomers shining in their debuts.
Graduate transfer Nia Parker-Robinson had a team-high seven kills, putting on display the dominating force she is around the net.
As a team, Carolina recorded 38 kills, six from each Skyy Howard, Mabrey Shaffmaster, Kaya Merkler and Emily Zinger.
Both Annabelle Archer and Meghan Neelon split time setting, with Neelon accounting for double-digit assists. Neelon also had two service aces.
The Heels took the first three sets 25-16, 25-15 and 25-17, outscoring High Point 55-33, before falling to the Panthers in the final set, 25-12.
However, because of the format of the NCAA LiveStats program, stats were not kept for the fourth set.
"There were some really good things that happened this weekend," head coach Joe Sagula said.
"Our young players did such a good job. We built some confidence and learned the things that we need to work on."
Now Carolina will turn its attention to the regular season, which it opens on the road at the SMU Tournament on Aug. 27 in University Park, Texas.
Team Stats
HP
UNC
Kills
30
38
Errors
19
4
Attempts
87
86
Hitting %
.126
.395
Points
34
55
Assists
24
26
Aces
3
6
Blocks
1
11
Game Leaders
Kills
7
Aces
1
Blocks
2
Kills
6
Aces
0
Blocks
6
Kills
6
Aces
0
Blocks
4
Kills
6
Aces
0
Blocks
4
Players Mentioned
S
/ VolleyballMB
/ VolleyballMH/OH
/ Volleyball
S
/ VolleyballOH
/ Volleyball
OH
/ VolleyballRS
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