Sunday, September 21
Chapel Hill, N.C.
4 PM
North Carolina
7-2,0-0ACC
3
vs
1
East Carolina
8-3,0-0American
1
2
3
4
F
East Carolina
15
25
20
18
1
North Carolina
25
23
25
25
3
Photo by: DALTON T. WAINSCOTT
Volleyball Beats ECU Behind Career Day From Thorpe
September 21, 2025 | Volleyball
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Carolina volleyball bounced back with a four-set win (25-15, 23-25, 25-20, 25-18) over ECU to close out the non-conference slate on Sunday evening.
Chelsea Thorpe had the game of her career totaling 22 kills on a .475 hitting percentage. She also added three blocks and four digs.
The Tar Heels used three separate runs of at least 3-0 to distance themselves from the Pirates and take the first set 25-15.
The Pirates fought back in the second set leading 24-20 late in the second. UNC went on a 3-0 run to stave ECU off before falling 25-23.
Set three Zoe Behrendt went to work. The junior setter had 10 assists and four digs in the frame guiding the Tar Heels to a much needed 25-20 win. She noticed her second double-double of the young season. She had 35 assists and 15 digs both of which are season-highs.
In the fourth set, Carolina immediately raced out to a 4-0 lead forcing an ECU timeout. ECU managed to cut the lead to 10-9. That's when Safi Hampton and Thorpe took over. Six of the next seven points were through those two with Laynie Smith adding the other. The 7-0 run gave the Tar Heels all the distance they needed as they would go on to win the set 25-18 to take the match 3-1.
Jackie Taylor showed out with nine kills and a team-high eight blocks. Maddy May continued her insane week with another 24 digs as well as six assists.
The Tar Heels will open ACC play against Wake Forest on Friday, Sept. 26 at 7 p.m. in Carmicheal Arena on ACCNX.
Chelsea Thorpe had the game of her career totaling 22 kills on a .475 hitting percentage. She also added three blocks and four digs.
The Tar Heels used three separate runs of at least 3-0 to distance themselves from the Pirates and take the first set 25-15.
The Pirates fought back in the second set leading 24-20 late in the second. UNC went on a 3-0 run to stave ECU off before falling 25-23.
Set three Zoe Behrendt went to work. The junior setter had 10 assists and four digs in the frame guiding the Tar Heels to a much needed 25-20 win. She noticed her second double-double of the young season. She had 35 assists and 15 digs both of which are season-highs.
In the fourth set, Carolina immediately raced out to a 4-0 lead forcing an ECU timeout. ECU managed to cut the lead to 10-9. That's when Safi Hampton and Thorpe took over. Six of the next seven points were through those two with Laynie Smith adding the other. The 7-0 run gave the Tar Heels all the distance they needed as they would go on to win the set 25-18 to take the match 3-1.
Jackie Taylor showed out with nine kills and a team-high eight blocks. Maddy May continued her insane week with another 24 digs as well as six assists.
The Tar Heels will open ACC play against Wake Forest on Friday, Sept. 26 at 7 p.m. in Carmicheal Arena on ACCNX.
Team Stats
ECU
UNC
Kills
47
67
Errors
24
22
Attempts
154
173
Hitting %
.149
.260
Points
57.0
84.0
Assists
44
58
Aces
1
2
Blocks
9
15
Game Leaders
Kills-Aces-Blocks
Kills
22
Aces
0
Blocks
3
Kills
16
Aces
0
Blocks
2
Kills
11
Aces
1
Blocks
3
Kills
9
Aces
0
Blocks
8
Players Mentioned
S
/ VolleyballOH
/ Volleyball
OH/OPP
/ VolleyballMB
/ VolleyballOH/OPP
/ VolleyballCarolina Insider - Interview with Caleb Wilson (Full Segment) - September 22, 2025
Monday, September 22
UNC Volleyball: Thorpe Sets New Career High in 4-Set Win vs ECU
Sunday, September 21
UNC Field Hockey: Heck's 5 Goals Propel Heels Over Stanford, 8-1
Sunday, September 21
VB: Thorpe Sets New Career High in 4-Set Win vs ECU
Sunday, September 21