Volleyball Falls To Michigan, 3-0

Saturday, September 10

Chapel Hill

6 p.m.

North Carolina

5-3,0-0ACC

Michigan

7-1,0-0Big Ten

Michigan

North Carolina

Photo by: ANTHONY SORBELLINI

September 10, 2022 | Volleyball

Box Score

By: By Ella Coxe, UNC Athletic Communications

CHAPEL HILL, N.C -- The Carolina volleyball team fell in straight sets to Michigan on Saturday night in a close match in Carmichael Arena.

Junior Kaya Merkler led the Tar Heels with six blocks and 10 kills, while freshman libero Maddy May set a new career-best with a match-best 19 digs.

Despite Carolina out-blocking the Wolverines 13-10, a new-season best for the Tar Heels, Michigan held a .187-.107 hitting percentage advantage.

Set One: UNC: 20, Michigan: 25
The Tar Heels started off the match strong, recording five blocks halfway through the set, with Merkler tallying three. Michigan came fighting back, using a 6-0 scoring run to take a 19-14 lead. The Tar Heels went on their own 4-0 run, fueled by an Anita Babic setter's dump and a Charley Niego ace, to come back within one. However, another scoring run by the Wolverines sealed the set, 25-20. Michigan had three service aces, while Carolina had one. May tallied nine digs in the frame.

Set Two: UNC: 24, Michigan: 26
Michigan started off the set blazing hot, opening on a 8-2 run. The Tar Heels began to fight their way back with 4-0 run to tie the match back up at 12, led by kills from Mabrey Shaffmaster, Niego and a block by Skyy Howard and Parker Austin. Back-to-back blocks by the Tar Heels cut lead to one, 19-18. Michigan went on another run, but was answered by Howard, who tallied a kill and a block to knot the score at 23. An Austin kill tied the set up at 24, but the Wolverines ran off with the set, 26-24.

Set Three: UNC: 23, Michigan: 25
Michigan took the first two points of set three, but a Merkler kill and a block, assisted by Babic, tied the set up early. A 3-0 Tar Heel run, highlighted by a May ace and a Niego kill, brought the momentum back, but Michigan was able to hold onto the lead. Despite Carolina staving off four match points, the Wolverines took the victory on a service error. Merkler had three kills in the last four points.

Up Next:
The Tar Heels travel to Richmond, Va. for the VCU invitational on Sep. 16-17, taking on Old Dominion, VCU and UMBC.