North Carolina volleyball took down the Cavaliers in a 3-0 sweep

The North Carolina volleyball team (8-10, 5-3 ACC) defeated Virginia (9-12, 1-7 ACC) on Sunday, 3-0, and improved its ACC record to 5-3 this season.  

What happened? 

The Cavaliers and Tar Heels battled early and were tied, 2-2. With the match tied, UVA scored two points to regain the lead, 4-2. A kill by UNC first-year Skyy Howard cut the UVA lead to one. Then both teams traded points to make the score 5-4. Virginia went on a three point scoring run to and took the lead, 8-4. 

After UNC cut the lead to one, the UNC allowed a kill, then committed three straight attack errors to give UVA the lead 13-8. With UVA leading 20-17, two back-to-back kills by redshirt first-year Lauren Harrison cut the lead to one, 20-19. 

The team's fought to tie the score at 23-23, before UNC scored four of the next five points and secured the set victory with three straight kills by senior Skylar Wine to win 26-24.  

North Carolina’s momentum from the first set carried over into the second as it got off to a fast start. The Tar Heels took an early lead, 7-3. Near the end of the set, UNC led Virginia, 22-17, and the Tar Heels scored three of the next five points in this match to win the set, 25-19.  

The Tar Heels opened the third set with a kill from Harrison. The teams were tied 4-4 early in the set before a kill by the Cavaliers gave them a 5-4 lead. Down by one, the Tar Heels scored three straight points, which included a kill from Harrison and redshirt junior Katharine Esterley, UNC led 8-5. The Cavalier’s cut the lead to one, 8-7, after scoring two straight points. Then North Carolina’s Wine responded with a kill, and UNC secured three straight points to lead, 12-7. 

Even though UNC had the lead, Virginia didn't give in. UVA scored eight of the next 13 points to cut the lead to 17-15. Late in the third set, UNC had an 20-16 lead,  With the Cavaliers down by they took a time out.

When play resumed, Virginia scored two straight points to cut the lead, 20-18.  The Tar Heels scored four of the next eight points to lead, 24-22. A kill by Wine secured the set win for North Carolina, 25-22, taking the match 3-0.  

Who stood out?

At the end of the first set, Wine scored three straight kills to propel her team to victory, 26-24. In addition, in this match Wine led North Carolina with 13 kills. Plus, Wine scored 14 total points in the contests, and was second behind Harrison in that category.  

When was it decided?

This match was decided after the second set, when UNC took an early 7-4 lead over UVA. Throughout the set, UNC had a 16 total kills, and three blocks and a .394 hitting percentage.  North Carolina maintained its lead and won the second set, 25-19. With a two set lead, the momentum the Tar Heels gained in the second set allowed them to defeat the Cavaliers, 26-24 in the third set.  

Why does it matter?

With this win, North Carolina defeated another ACC team, and improved its record to 5-3 in conference play.  In addition, the Tar Heels out killed the Cavaliers, with 48 kills and 44 respectively.  With 10 ACC games left this season for North Carolina, they will return home to Carmichael Arena, and not hit the road again until November 7th.  

When do they play next?

The Tar Heels will return to Chapel Hill to face Syracuse on Friday at Carmichael Arena.  

@TorreNetkovick 

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