UNC volleyball defeats Michigan in five sets

The North Carolina volleyball team (7-1) defeated University of Michigan (9-1) on Friday night, 3-2, at Carmichael Arena.

UNC showed resilience early in the first set, with senior outside hitter Mabrey Shaffmaster and graduate student middle blocker Alexis Engelbrecht contributing key kills to keep the score competitive. Graduate outside hitter Emani' Foster also made significant plays, including back-to-back kills assisted by graduate setter Taylor Eisert, which helped level the score at 6-6. 

However, Michigan responded with crucial kills of their own, keeping the match tight despite several service errors and ball-handling mistakes from both teams.

The set remained closely contested, tied at 15-15 after a media timeout, as both teams traded points. Shaffmaster continued to apply offensive pressure for UNC, recording multiple kills that contributed to their lead. A crucial block by redshirt sophomore opposite hitter Chelsea Thorpe and Engelbrecht allowed UNC to pull ahead 21-19, prompting a timeout from Michigan.

After a timeout from UNC, Michigan delivered a critical kill and a block error by Foster ultimately led to Michigan claiming the set 25-22 in a hard-fought finish.

The second set began with a strong offensive display from UNC, highlighted by a kill from Engelbrecht, assisted by sophomore setter Zoe Behrendt, which opened the scoring. Michigan quickly equalized with a kill, bringing the score to 1-1. However, a service error allowed UNC to take the lead, making it 3-2. Shaffmaster and sophomore outside hitter Safi Hampton in particular demonstrated their strength and prowess in this moment. 

Both teams struggled with errors, leading to an eventual tie at 8-8. Shaffmaster provided a much-needed kill for UNC, pushing the score to 11-9 before Michigan called a timeout. Following the break, Hampton delivered another kill, making it 12-10.

As the set progressed, both teams exchanged points until UNC regained momentum at 24-20, with back-to-back kills from Shaffmaster and Hampton. UNC secured the second set 25-20.

In the third set, both teams struggled with attack errors, impacting scoring opportunities. UNC's offensive strength, particularly from Hampton and Shaffmaster, helped them maintain an early lead.

The set began with an attack error by Michigan, followed by a kill from Shaffmaster, giving UNC an early advantage. As the set progressed, notable kills from Engelbrecht and Thorpe contributed to UNC's control.

After a Michigan timeout, UNC pulled away with a service ace from Eisert, extending their lead. Despite Michigan’s attempts to rally, UNC responded effectively to win the set 25-20, fueled by strong plays from Shaffmaster and Hampton.

“I was going into it with no plan,” Hampton said. “When I think too much while playing volleyball, it doesn’t work out. Just jump and hit the ball, and it was working.”

The fourth set began with Michigan taking an early lead. UNC quickly responded with a kill from Shaffmaster, but a series of errors allowed Michigan to extend their advantage to 9-3. After a timeout called by UNC, the Tar Heels began to fight back, with kills from Hampton and Shaffmaster narrowing the score to 11-7.

Shaffmaster said this was a poignant moment of the game and that their shift in mindset as a team felt critical to their future success.

“We came together and that was the biggest moment of the whole game,” Shaffmaster said.

First-year opposite hitter Erin Curtis then made a significant impact with back-to-back service aces, bringing UNC closer at 11-9. The Tar Heels continued to apply pressure with additional kills from Hampton and Curtis, eventually taking the lead at 13-9. Although Michigan attempted to rally, UNC maintained control and secured the set with a final score of 25-13.

The fifth set began with Michigan quickly taking a 2-0 lead, benefiting from attack errors by Shaffmaster. UNC responded with a kill from Engelbrecht, narrowing the score to 2-1. However, another error from Shaffmaster allowed Michigan to extend their lead to 3-1.

Hampton then recorded a kill, making it 3-2, but Michigan quickly countered, pushing the score to 4-2. A series of errors and kills followed, with Hampton and Engelbrecht contributing to close the gap at 6-4.

"It was just pure fight and effort and scrappiness,” head coach Mike Schall said. “And those are the kind of wins that [make] you feel great for the kids in the locker room.”

As the set progressed, UNC and Michigan traded kills and errors, with UNC tying the score at 8-8 after a timeout. Following another exchange of points, Michigan's service error allowed UNC to take the lead at 12-10.

The Tar Heels continued to capitalize on their momentum, with Hampton and Thorpe adding crucial kills. Ultimately, UNC secured the set 15-10.

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