The UNC volleyball team (9-1) bested the Syracuse Orange (12-1), 3-0, on Friday afternoon in Carmichael Arena.
“We all know that whoever is on the court is going to do the job," head coach Mike Schall said. "And whoever is not on the court is going to support them and be ready when their number is called.”
The Tar Heels opened with a strong float serve from sophomore setter Zoe Behrendt. The Orange struggle to receive it, pushing the ball back into UNC territory. Behrendt launched an outside set for senior outside hitter Mabrey Shaffmaster who hit a strong cross field spike into the chest of the Syracuse defender to put North Carolina on the board.
The first set remained tight with both teams vying for control over the momentum. After a wild serve from sophomore outside hitter Safi Hampton, Syracuse tried to take the lead back, but the Tar Heels didn't let that happen. First-year middle blocker Jackie Taylor forced multiple errors extending UNC’s lead.
Deep into the first set, North Carolina went on a 5-0 scoring run topped off with a service ace and a kill from Shaffmaster.
“It's fun just going up there and hitting the ball as hard as you possibly can and looking to score every time,” Shaffmaster said. “Keeping your foot on the gas and just hitting is the best way to do that.”
Syracuse head coach Bakeer Ganesharatnam called multiple timeouts to try and ice the UNC hitters, but it was ultimately ineffective as the Tar Heels closed out the first set 25 - 14
UNC continued its relentless offense with graduate student Taylor Eisert at the core.
The graduate created a variety of open chances for a variety of Tar Heel attackers. UNC’s attack restricted the Orange’s options of retaliation, often forcing them out of system and into emergency outside sets where the Tar Heels were ready and waiting.
