The North Carolina volleyball team (12-1, 4-0 ACC) topped Duke (6-9, 2-2 ACC) for the second time this week in a 3-0 decision on Friday night in Carmichael Arena.
Redshirt sophomore Chelsea Thorpe was responsible for the first winning play after a successful cross-court kill between the hands of the Duke blockers. Like the meeting between the two teams on Wednesday night, the Blue Devils were off to a shaky start, tallying four attack errors and needing a timeout as UNC led 11-5.
Meanwhile, the Tar Heels remained in complete control for nearly the entire first set. UNC recorded an efficient .355 hitting percentage en route to a 25-19 advantage in the first set, with Thorpe and graduate outside hitter Emani’ Foster powering in four and five kills, respectively.
Duke, to put UNC out-of-system, aimed for setters Zoe Behrendt or Taylor Eisert in its attack in the second set. Junior libero Maddy May was quick to adjust, sliding in repeatedly to make spot-on sets when either setter was out of play and unable to take the second touch.
“[May’s] out-of-system setting has been fantastic the last couple of weeks,” head coach Mike Schall said.
The Blue Devils’ efforts were effective, but the Tar Heels knew how to end a point, leading to a second-set win for UNC, 25-21.
It was all North Carolina to open set three. With senior outside hitter Mabrey Shaffmaster behind the service line and back-to-back kills from Thorpe, Duke convened for a timeout while down 5-0.
Energy was a theme for North Carolina all night, especially when Foster killed an overpass straight into the hardwood on Duke’s side to give UNC a 15-5 edge in the final set.
Duke surmounted a late 3-0 run, but first-year middle blocker Jackie Taylor ended any suspicion of the Blue Devils’ comeback with a fast attack. Foster delivered the game-sealing block. UNC took the third set 25-16, and kept its seven-game winning streak alive.
