UNC volleyball off to best start since 1981

The North Carolina volleyball team’s young season and its performance at the Carolina Classic this weekend share the same statistic — 9-0.

Behind a balanced performance that featured contributions by almost every player on the No. 18 UNC team, the Tar Heels improved their overall record to 9-0, taking the three matches by a combined set score of 9-0.

Coach Joe Sagula’s team dominated non-conference opponents George Washington, James Madison and Albany on its way to the program’s best start since 1981. The 24-year UNC coach said it was key to get everyone involved.

“The fact that we got to have a lot of people contribute to the weekend was very important,” Sagula said. “I think it’s important in terms of not everyone having to play and grind out nine sets all weekend long. People can play five, six or seven (sets). It allows them to be healthy, to be fresh, and when they come in, to give us 100 percent.”

Among the many players rotating in and out were seven Tar Heels making their first appearances inside Carmichael Arena, including two redshirt freshmen, four freshmen and one graduate student.

Outside hitter Jovana Bjelica, the lone graduate student, made an instant impact for the Tar Heels, registering 27 kills over the weekend, good for second on the team.

Bjelica’s strong hitting and explosive serve are welcome additions to the team, but for now, she’s just trying to figure out how to fit in with her new squad.

“We’re still trying to adjust to each other,” she said. “When we start playing like we can, I know everything will be fine. We want to show that we’re as good as we are.”

The Tar Heels won the nine sets over the weekend by a combined score of 225-150 , with the only real test coming against JMU, as the Dukes went down 25-21, 25-22 and 25-23.

Senior Kayla Berringer — who notched 30 kills over the weekend on her way to winning MVP honors — said the tournament was a momentum-builder heading into tougher matches. “Next week we have big challenges so (this tournament) was kind of a stepping stone,” she said. “It will be good for us going into practice, knowing what we need to get better at, keeping our energy up, and just going after it and playing hard all the time.”

With tough Big Ten opponents coming next weekend , and ACC play on the horizon, Sagula knows his team must take its game to the next level to reach stated goals of an ACC championship and a sweet-sixteen berth.

“No matter what the level is, we have to take every match, every point … more seriously, and that’s what we’re going to take from this,” he said. “It’s a good wake up call.”