The No. 25 North Carolina women’s volleyball (16-2, 8-1 ACC) team topped No. 19 Florida State (14-5, 6-3 ACC), 3-2, on Friday evening in Carmichael Arena for its second five-set victory in two games.
The Tar Heels, sporting pink Nikes for their “Dig Pink” game, gave the Seminoles their first three points of the match thanks to two wide attacks and a missed serve. After assistant coach Parker Mikesch audibly yelled “reset” following more UNC mistakes, it was time for North Carolina to take a timeout down 9-4.
UNC put together a 5-0 run to get back in the game, but the FSU backline seldom let the ball hit the hardwood and the frontline knew how to terminate a point. A few more uncharacteristic mishaps by North Carolina, and the Seminoles took set one 25-19.
The second set, however, was dominated by UNC, taking an early 6-1 advantage. This time, it was the Tar Heels playing a clean game and the Seminoles making the unforced errors, leading to an FSU timeout, UNC leading 12-6. This clean North Carolina play was headed by junior libero Maddy May, who crashed into a nearby table in a successful attempt to keep the ball in play.
The Seminoles tied it up at 18-18 due to holes through a less-than-intimidating UNC block. Unfazed, sophomore outside hitter Safi Hampton exploded for four kills in the last five points to guide North Carolina to a second set win, 25-22, tying the game at 1-1.
“She has grown so much in her game and in her mentality toward the game,” senior outside hitter Mabrey Shaffmaster said. “Just going up there and watching her succeed makes me so happy.”
The lengthy rallies and intense speed of play through the first two sets was thwarted by errors on both sides to open the third set. The Tar Heels used a timeout while down 12-8 after a kill by FSU’s Khori Louis.
Senior outside hitter Mabrey Shaffmaster was getting her kills as per usual, but the Seminole duo of Louis and fellow outside Audrey Koenig had the Tar Heels on their heels.
Despite big-time swings by the Tar Heels when they needed them most, FSU clung to a narrow lead for nearly all 25 points and clinched the third set 25-22, now leading 2-1 on the match.