Like most athletes and coaches, Coach Sagula always keeps his composure — no matter what the situation is. Athletes know not to show emotion during a game’s most intense moment. They are focused and set on the final outcome, not manifesting their feelings in the face of competition.
For the No. 9 North Carolina volleyball team, emotion is extremely indicative of how a match is going.
Friday night, the Tar Heels were all smiles. Facing Boston College, UNC took an early lead on the Eagles, conceding only 12 and 13 points in the first and second sets, respectively.
Even when Boston College came out strong in the third set and tied the match three times, UNC had a loose attitude as it pulled away with a quick 3-0 victory — the first of two on the weekend, as it won 3-2 over Georgia Tech on Sunday.
Junior Paige Neuenfeldt said the upbeat attitude was a positive for the team.
“We all love playing out there, we all love playing with each other and for each other and we have a really good time,” she said. “We are ready, we’re playing well, we’re happy, smiling. I think that’s really intimidating to see on the other side of the court.”
However, those smiles quickly faded as UNC (17-2, 8-1 ACC) went to Atlanta to face Georgia Tech on Sunday.
Although UNC came into Sunday’s match having not lost a set since Oct. 3, the Yellow Jackets came out swinging, taking both of the first two sets 25-19. The third set was back and forth until the Tar Heels took a 13-12 lead and never looked back en route to a 25-20 victory. Coach Sagula said that his team found the spark it needed.
