The North Carolina volleyball team was unable to finish in important situations in a 3-1 loss to Miami on Friday night, dropping its record to 5-9 and 1-4 in the ACC.
What happened?
On Friday, UNC (5-9, 1-4 ACC) traveled to Coral Gables, Fla. to play its fifth conference game of the year. After a slow start to the season, the Tar Heels were looking for an important win on the road, but were only able to win one set against Miami (8-4, 4-1 ACC).
The Tar Heels were able to keep every set close, but “we couldn’t finish,” head coach Joe Sagula said, “we’ve got to be doing it the entire match.”
The two teams were neck and neck from the beginning, and by the end of the first set North Carolina was down, 22-20. The team was unable to close as Bridget Wallenberger had three straight kills for Miami to win the set at 25-20
The second set was closer than the first, with UNC able to again get within striking distance at 23-22. However, the Hurricanes finished the set with an error from the Tar Heels and a kill.
North Carolina was able to swing the momentum in the third set by gaining a lead early and keeping it. The team scored seven points in a row in the middle of the set, pushing the score to 17-10. The Tar Heels ended up winning by the largest point differential of the night, at 25-15, as they looked to hopefully turn the match around.
The Hurricanes came out strong in the fourth set, sealing the match with a convincing, 25-18, win.
“We played a great third set,” Sagula said, “but that wasn’t enough, not when you’re on the road.”
