University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
5-0,0-0ACC
#11 Florida
4-2,0-0SEC
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Florida | 23 | 18 | 21 | 0 |
| North Carolina | 25 | 25 | 25 | 3 |
Volleyball Shuts Down No. 11 Florida In 3-0 Sweep
September 9, 2025 | Volleyball
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - For the first time since 2016, volleyball swept a ranked opponent at home as the Tar Heels shut down No. 11 Florida (25-23, 25-18, 25-21). Tonight's victory gives Carolina the first win against the Gators since 1985 and the highest ranked victory in the Mike Schall era of volleyball. The sweep marks the first 5-0 start since 2021 when the team started 10-0.
The last time the Tar Heels beat a top 15 team at home was 2020 against No. 14 Duke 3-1 on Oct. 9. The last top 15 non-conference win was beating No. 2 Wisconsin in 2016. The 2016 team advanced to the sweet sixteen.
"That had nothing to do with them at all," Safi Hampton said. "That was the first time that we played our game. We did the scout — everyone on the team did their job. That's about us."
The most anticipated home matchup of the last decade lived up to the hype as the two ranked foes went back and forth in the first set, which featured four lead changes and eight ties. Carolina came out on top, 25-23, giving them the first set victory against the Gators since 1999. Florida tied the match 23-23, but back-to-back kills from Safi Hampton sealed the first set win.Â
The momentum carried over as Carolina took the second set 25-18.The Tar Heels came out swinging as they jumped out to a 14-5 lead off an 11-2 run. The Tar Heels scored the first point of the second set and never gave up the lead. The Gators tied the set twice but the Tar Heels responded both times.
"We practice more than we play, and if our team is deep, then we're playing against a really good team every day," head coach Mike Schall said. "We have great players who didn't get opportunities tonight, and they'll get them in the future, but they're going to keep working on it and they'll get those opportunities. They're gonna be ready when they do, and I'm confident in that."
The final set mirrored the first set with four lead changes and eight ties. Florida looked to be in the driver's seat at the start of the set as they held the lead before the Tar Heels went on a 5-0 run to tie the match 13-13. before Carolina pulled away for good, closing out the match on 4-2 run giving Carolina its first win against Florida in four decades.Â
Hampton has led the team in kills in every single match that she played in all of the sets and tonight's victory was the same.
"She is one of the most creative attackers that I've ever had the opportunity to coach, and she's such a good problem solver," Schall. It never looks exactly the same, but she figures out ways to get kills and we're fortunate to have her."
The undefeated Tar Heels will head on the road to take on the South Carolina Gamecocks for the second straight season on Friday, Sept. 12, at 6:00 p.m. on SECN+.
