In its home opener, the North Carolina volleyball team (2-2, 0-0 ACC) defeated South Carolina (3-1, 0-0 SEC) in three sets at Carmichael Arena on Friday night.
What happened?
Following a trip to Colorado to begin the new year, the Tar Heels made their long-awaited return to Chapel Hill on Friday night.
After splitting the first six points, the Tar Heels raced out to an early 13-6 lead thanks to some timely kills by senior Parker Austin and sophomore Mabrey Shaffmaster.
North Carolina continued to gain separation throughout the first set and eventually clinched a 25-11 win. In the set, the Tar Heels had 13 kills and boasted a 0.367 hitting percentage.
Much like the first set, both teams traded blows early and the set was deadlocked at nine points apiece. Then, UNC began to build some momentum.
The Tar Heels scored seven of the next nine points, then after South Carolina scored three straight points to trim the deficit down to two, UNC responded with an 8-3 spurt to go up 24-17.
The Gamecocks clawed all the way back with six straight points to increase the pressure, but first-year setter Ella Bostic found graduate hitter Charley Niego to seal the 25-23 win.
UNC carried this momentum out of the break and into the third set by scoring eight of the first 10 points. South Carolina kept things interesting by trading points for the remainder of the set, yet the Tar Heels’ early lead was enough to pull out a relatively comfortable 25-16 victory.
