No. 25 UNC volleyball drops third consecutive match after 3-1 loss to SMU

The No. 25 UNC women's volleyball team (18-5, 10-4 ACC) fell, 3-1, to No. 10 SMU (19-6, 11-3 ACC) at Moody Coliseum on Sunday afternoon. 

Following three consecutive losses for the first time all season, the Tar Heels were motivated to get back in the win column. Despite a late surge from UNC, SMU’s offensive firepower proved to be too tough to tackle for North Carolina.

The Tar Heels went down early in the first set, 8-3, with SMU senior outside hitter Jamison Wheeler recording three early kills for the Mustangs. SMU extended their lead to 19-12, but two block assists by graduate middle blocker Alexis Engelbrecht gave North Carolina some momentum. 

While down 23-18, a kill by sophomore outside hitter Chelsea Thorpe jump started a late UNC comeback, with the Tar Heels cutting the SMU lead 23-22. SMU stonewalled the efforts on a kill by Wheeler, giving SMU a 1-0 lead. 

The Mustangs continued the trend of starting strong, getting out to an early 7-2 lead in the second set, with the help of graduate opposite Naya Shime’s two kills.

Graduate libero Ellie Bolton ran into the scorers table and was able to keep the ball in play, leading to a successful spike by Wheeler, extending the SMU lead to 17-8. 

UNC’s senior outside hitter Mabrey Shaffmaster recorded her seventh kill of the game on a three point run for the Tar Heels, closing the gap to 22-16. 

After a timeout, it was all Mustangs, as graduate middle blocker Nnedi Okammor secured the final point for SMU on a blistering spike, extending the lead to 2-0.

The Tar Heels found their groove early in the third set jumping out to an early 4-2 lead on a kill and block assist by sophomore outside hitter Safi Hampton. The Tar Heels kept up their strong third set play with seven consecutive points led by Shaffmaster, giving North Carolina a 17-9 lead. 

Shaffmaster continued to dominate the set with a kill to extend the Tar Heels' lead to 22-13. UNC kept their foot on the gas, winning the third set 25-16, making the game 2-1. 

The fourth set was back and forth, with the Tar Heels getting out to a 7-6 lead on two kills by sophomore middle back Lauren Schutter. The set remained close, but North Carolina’s offense propelled them to a 15-14 lead. 

With the set tied 21-21, Wheeler delivered a forceful spike that blew past the outstretched arms of the Tar Heels defenders, giving the Mustangs a 22-21 lead. 

SMU did not look back, securing the next three points to secure the set 25-21 and win the game 3-1, handing the Tar Heels their third straight loss. 

North Carolina looks to get back in the win column when they travel to Purcell Pavilion to take on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on Friday, Nov. 15 at 6:30 p.m.

@dthsports | sports@dailytarheel.com