Volleyball: UNC falls in Carolina Classic

After winning two straight games against Oklahoma and Grambling State, the North Carolina women’s volleyball team was looking to extend its winning streak in the Carolina Classic this weekend.

But an upset win over Tennessee was overshadowed by lackluster play that led to losses in the second and third matches against Marshall and Colorado State. The two defeats brought the Tar Heels’ record to 4-5 for the season.

The first match against the Volunteers — which entered the match 5-1 on the season — provided the most excitement for the Tar Heels over the weekend.

UT won the first two sets 25-20 and 25-21. After replacing Aleksandra Georgieva with Kaylie Gibson at libero, UNC won the next three sets 25-19, 25-21, and 16-14.

“We’ve been making subs like that in the last couple of matches, and you are probably asking yourself, ‘Why aren’t you starting that way?’” coach Joe Sagula said. “Maybe I’ll learn eventually.”

The Heels then lost the next match to Marshall on Saturday in three straight sets, all by a score of 25-21.

In the first two sets, UNC trailed the Thundering Herd by a heavy margin and rallied late to no avail. The Tar Heels didn’t have much time to reflect upon the loss, as they faced a tough Colorado State team that night.

The match against the Rams wouldn’t lift the Tar Heel spirits, either. UNC dropped three sets, 25-20, 25-16, and 25-22. Georgieva found herself back at the libero position at the start of the match, while Gibson appeared minimally.

“On a scale of one to 10 in terms of physically where we are, I think we’re maybe a seven or an eight,” said Sagula. “But mentally, I thought we were a three.”

UNC struggled defensively, dropping balls and missing easy returns.

“It seemed that every time we generated some positive momentum, we made unforced errors,” Sagula said. “And it wasn’t just defensively. It was service errors, not being in the right position to dig a ball, or a free ball not working or running into somebody.”

Still, the tournament proved to be a showcase for freshman outside hitter Emily McGee, who hit 32 kills for the UNC over the weekend.

Additionally, all three games featured impressive play from middle hitters Heather Brooks and Ingrid Hanson-Tuntland.

But perhaps the biggest underlying story from the Carolina Classic is the competition at the libero position. Gibson began the season at the spot, but lost it to Georgieva in the Michigan State game. Gibson regained the job while facing Tennessee, but lost it again before the start of the CSU match.

“(Sagula) is looking for consistency at each position, and so if we’re not consistent, then he’s going to put someone else in to try to do better,” said Gibson. “Right now, I just haven’t been consistent, and that’s why I’ve got to keep working for it through the season.”

Both Gibson and Georgieva know that the pressure is on for them to perform in order to earn playing time on the court.

“When you’re going through the season, every mistake counts,” Georgieva said. “When we’re fighting for one spot, we know that we need to get the job done.”


Contact the Sports Editor at sports@unc.edu.