RALEIGH — The North Carolina volleyball team might have finally turned the corner.
After starting the 2015 season with a record of 4-7, the Tar Heels entered Wednesday's match with two consecutive sweeps over ACC foes. And against interstate rival N.C. State (12-5, 1-4 ACC), their winning ways continued.
UNC (7-7, 4-1 ACC) swept the Wolfpack in three sets (25-18, 25-19, 25-22) to extend its winning streak to three matches.
The entire contest was neck-and-neck, but behind the aggressive play of middle hitter Victoria McPherson, the Tar Heels claimed all three sets. The senior led the team in kills and points and scored the match-winning point to silence the Wolfpack.
“I just want to put the ball away.” McPherson said. “And that’s become my mindset — that every time I get the opportunity to help the team, I want to utilize that.”
Coach Joe Sagula was impressed with McPherson's determined play throughout the match. But the UNC coach was equally pleased with the surprising success of his team's serve.
“We had seven aces, which is really good for us because (N.C. State) is statistically, in our conference, one of the best serving teams," he said.
Sagula noted how the team’s collaborative effort set McPherson up for success. But on the match's last point, the senior middle blocker took it upon herself to secure the victory.
“That last kill she had was a world class swing," Sagula said. “Nobody could touch that.”
