Leigh Andrew excels against Wolfpack

It was just like always.

She went with her teammates to 411 West where chicken, green beans, mashed potatoes, salad and bread were waiting for her.

Then she went to Starbucks — asked for espresso shots for energy — and headed back to the volleyball locker room in Carmichael Arena.

She got dressed, put on her light blue uniform — number four — and asked sophomore middle blocker Paige Neuenfeldt what color headband she wanted to wear Wednesday against N.C. State. The two always match — it’s a sign of their friendship.

Wednesday, the choice was hot pink.

She began to dance with her teammates, listened to North Carolina volleyball coach Joe Sagula’s pregame message, and then danced some more.

Then, sophomore Leigh Andrew began to focus.

And in Wednesday’s 3-0 victory against the Wolfpack, that concentration was evident as the outside hitter showcased her versatility with nine kills and 13 digs, good for first and second respectively on her team.

With a 12-0 record, the No. 14 Tar Heels have surpassed the program’s best start in school history and have claimed their first victory in conference play.

“(Leigh) can do everything,” Sagula said.

“She can play left side, right side, she passes for us, she has a great serve, plays good defense. That’s what you expect from a really good outside hitter … she’s playing that position as well as we would like.”

Andrew said her success stems from confidence — something she noted has only grown since her freshman season last year, when she primarily played the back row.

Now playing both up front and in the back, Andrew’s back in her comfort zone, contributing in all areas of the game.

“Last year in the first half of the season she played very little because she had an ankle sprain,” Sagula said. “She came back and she was strictly playing back row because she’s such a good passer.”

But this season, Andrew is back and stronger than ever.

“The role I stepped into is being a six rotation, outside hitter and that’s being balanced on the court,” she said.

“That’s digging, passing, hitting and blocking. There’s a lot of focus that goes into that.”

Her teammates — particularly sophomore middle blocker Victoria McPherson — said they’ve enjoyed watching Andrew adjust to her larger role.

From the same town in Florida, McPherson and Andrew have known each other for nearly seven years and played on the same club volleyball team, establishing a special, unbreakable bond.

“Whenever they call her name and she’s getting ready to run out and they’re like ‘Sophomore from Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.,’ I (always call) crib,” McPherson said.

“That’s my crib — you can quote me on that.”

sports@dailytarheel.com