University of North Carolina Athletics
Photo by: Jerome M. Ibrahim
Tar Heels Face Duke and Michigan in the ACC-Big 10 Challenge in Ann Arbor
September 10, 2021 | Volleyball
ANN ARBOR, Mich. – With a 6-0 record on the line, the Carolina volleyball team returns to the court on Friday and Saturday at the ACC-Big Ten Challenge in Ann Arbor. The Tar Heels were originally set to take on Michigan State to open tournament in East Lansing, but due to health and safety protocols within the Spartan program, the matchup was canceled.
The updated Carolina weekend schedule includes a 2 p.m. neutral site matchup with Duke on Saturday, before a 1 p.m. matchup with the host Wolverines on Sunday. UNC's matchup with Michigan will be streamed on BTN+.
Notables:
» Carolina defended home court last weekend, earning victories over Colorado State, Wofford and ECU in Carmichael Arena
» In the Tar Heels' come-from-behind five set victory over Colorado State on Sep. 3, Mabrey Shaffmaster (22) and Nia Parker-Robinson (21) each notched over 20 kills. It was the first time two Carolina player have each had 20 or more kills in a match since Lauren Prussing (25) and Suzanne Haydel (20) did on Oct. 10, 2008, vs. Virginia
» Kaya Merkler currently ranks No. 6 in the ACC in hitting percentage (.423) and No. 8 in blocks (1.23/game)
» UNC's best attack percentage of the season came against Wofford on Sep. 4 (.400)
» Shaffmaster's 22 kills vs. Colorado State on Sep. 3 ranks as the second-most kills of any player in the ACC in a single match this season
» The Tar Heels have the third-highest hitting percentage in the conference (.277)
Tar Heels vs. Wolverines (3-1)
The updated Carolina weekend schedule includes a 2 p.m. neutral site matchup with Duke on Saturday, before a 1 p.m. matchup with the host Wolverines on Sunday. UNC's matchup with Michigan will be streamed on BTN+.
Notables:
» Carolina defended home court last weekend, earning victories over Colorado State, Wofford and ECU in Carmichael Arena
» In the Tar Heels' come-from-behind five set victory over Colorado State on Sep. 3, Mabrey Shaffmaster (22) and Nia Parker-Robinson (21) each notched over 20 kills. It was the first time two Carolina player have each had 20 or more kills in a match since Lauren Prussing (25) and Suzanne Haydel (20) did on Oct. 10, 2008, vs. Virginia
» Kaya Merkler currently ranks No. 6 in the ACC in hitting percentage (.423) and No. 8 in blocks (1.23/game)
» UNC's best attack percentage of the season came against Wofford on Sep. 4 (.400)
» Shaffmaster's 22 kills vs. Colorado State on Sep. 3 ranks as the second-most kills of any player in the ACC in a single match this season
» The Tar Heels have the third-highest hitting percentage in the conference (.277)
Tar Heels vs. Wolverines (3-1)
- UNC leads the overall series 4-2 and is 1-1 against Michigan in Ann Arbor
- The last meeting between the two teams was Sep. 19, 2015, in Chapel Hill. Carolina won the match 3-0
- UNC leads the overall series 63-57 and is 8-7 against Duke in neutral site games
- The last time the two teams met, Duke won 3-1 on Nov. 11, 2020, in Chapel Hill
Players Mentioned
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