Volleyball: Haydel carries UNC to victory

Junior outside hitter Suzanne Haydel is once again a primary weapon for the North Carolina volleyball team after struggling to earn playing time early in the season.

North Carolina trailed Maryland 20-23 in the second set Thursday after dropping the first set. But three kills and an assisted block by Haydel led UNC to a 27-25 comeback.

“We found a go-to player tonight in Sue Haydel,” coach Joe Sagula said.

Haydel’s production saved the Tar Heels from what could have been a devastating loss to the Terrapins as UNC went on to win the match in four games: 21-25, 27-25, 25-17 and 25-17.

Haydel recorded 21 kills and showed remarkable efficiency, making only two errors in 50 attacks.

“Sue’s maturing and seeing the game better,” Sagula said.

The Tar Heels haven’t lost at home to the Terrapins, who were 2-18 in conference play last year, since 1997.

After starting in 30 of the team’s 33 matches last season, Haydel recorded only 57 kills in the first nine matches this fall. Newcomers Branagan Fuller and Emily McGee began to earn more playing time during those early games.

Haydel acknowledged that it was frustrating to watch the action from the sidelines.

“I’m one of the upperclassmen. I really want to lead my team to a victory,” she said.

But Haydel has come on since UNC’s home tournament, recording 53 kills in the four matches since.

The Tar Heels struggled to put the ball away early in the match Thursday. Sagula said the Terrapins were playing deep defensively and not allowing many kills.

“They were digging balls left and right,” Haydel said.

UNC adjusted their offensive game plan in the second set, tipping more often instead of swinging away. The Tar Heels found holes in Maryland’s defense shallow in the court.

UNC took the momentum from their second-game comeback into the third game.

“Sitting in the locker room, we all just looked at each other knowing we were going to get this done on our home court,” Haydel said.

The Terrapins came out after the break playing more shallow on defense, and the Tar Heel outside hitters made them pay.

UNC won the third and fourth sets by identical scores to improve to 2-1 in conference play.

“Once we had them moving up, we were just unstoppable,” Haydel said.


Contact the Sports Editor at sports@unc.edu.