Carolina Rallies for a Five Set Victory at Michigan - University of North Carolina Athletics

Sunday, September 12

Ann Arbor, Mich.

1 PM

North Carolina

8-0,0-0ACC

Michigan

4-2,0-0Big Ten

Team	1	2	3	4	5	Final F
North Carolina	12	25	19	25	15	3
Michigan	25	21	25	23	9	2

September 12, 2021 | Volleyball

Box Score

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – In dramatic, come-from-behind fashion, the Carolina volleyball team earned a five-set victory over Michigan on Sunday afternoon, capping off a 2-0 weekend in the Great Lake State. Nia Parker-Robinson and Mabrey Shaffmaster led the team with 16 kills each, while Kaya Merkler had a team-high .333 attacking percentage.

The Heels are now 8-0 on the season, and are 2-0 in five-set matches.

It was an uphill battle to start the match for Carolina, with their worst offensive performance of the season coming in set one. The Heels lost the set 12-25, hitting -.04% as a team.

Despite the setback, Carolina came back strong in the second. After weathering a Michigan run that put the Wolverines ahead 8-7 early, Carolina won five straight points to take a 12-8 advantage, a lead they were able to hang onto. Shaffmaster clinched the set with a kill, her fourth of the set, giving the Heels a 25-21 win.

In the third set, both teams made back-and-forth runs, with 10 ties scores and three lead changes. A .257 attacking percentage from Michigan compared to .029 from Carolina proved to be the difference, and the Wolverines took the set 25-19.

In set four, with neither team able to establish a lead, it looked like it might be over for the Tar Heels when Michigan went on a 4-0 run to go ahead 22-17.

Despite the momentum overwhelmingly in Michigan's favor, Carolina took control, going on a 7-1 run to end the set and earn a 25-23 win in the fourth.

The Tar Heels started the final set off strong, going ahead 7-3 early. Michigan was able to tie up the set up at 7, but Carolina closed the victory on a 5-1 run.

UNC now owns a 5-2 record in the all-time series over Michigan.

It will be a short turnaround for the Heels as they return to Carmichael Arena to host Elon on Tuesday at 6 p.m.

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