Final: NC State 3 UNC 1
October 29, 2023
Chapel Hill,NC- On Sunday afternoon, the UNC women’s volleyball team played host to the visiting Wolfpack at Carmichael Gymnasium in a Tobacco Road rivalry match. The Tar Heels (10-11,4-8) came into the match winners of 8 of the last 10 meetings between the 2 teams and sport a stunning 39-4 record in the overall series. The Wolfpack (17-6, 7-5) came in fresh off of a loss to Duke on Friday night against the Blue Devils in Cameron Indoor Stadium in a 5th set classic. Junior Amanda Rice set a new career high in kills with 27.
The first set stated off with a quick 5-0 run before a timeout by the Tar Heels stopped the run. The Pack extended the lead to 9-4 midway through the first set as the Pack was able to off of back to back kills. The Tar Heels would come back with 8 of the next 13 points to force the Wolfpack to an early set timeout with the score 10-8. After the timeout, the teams traded points often and at mid-set it was tied 15-15. After a Skye Stokes service ace, the Wolfpack lead was 19-17 and UNC was forced to call their 2nd timeout of the set. The Wolfpack scored the next 3 points after the timeout to extend the lead to 22-17 and would win the set 25-21. Sophomore Ava Brizard led the Wolfpack with 5 kills in the set and Kristen McDaniel led the Pack with 8 Assists. Jada Allen led the Pack in blocks with 2.
The second set began with the Tar Heels jumping out to a quick 4-2 lead. The Pack would score 7 of the next 9 leading to a timeout for the Tar Heels with the Wolfpack leading 9-6. After the timeout, UNC would score 4 of the next 5 points to take the lead in the set at 11-10. NC State would score the next 3 points to take a 13-11 lead and would extend the lead to 17-13 leading to a timeout from UNC. The Pack was forced to take a timeout with the score 21-18 in the set after the Tar Heels went on a short scoring run. After the timeout the Pack would come out with more energy and take the set 25-20. Ava Brizard and Amanda Rice led the Wolfpack in total kills after the 2nd set with 8. Martyna Leoniak lead the Pack with 4 blocks. Madison Williams and Jada Allen were right behind with 3 blocks each.
The third set started with a quick 5-3 run by the Tar Heels. North Carolina would extend their lead to 9-4 leading to a Wolfpack timeout early in the set. After the timeout. the Heels would extend their lead to 13-7 after a service ace. The Pack would respond with the next 3 points to make it 13-10. Midway through the third set, the Tar Heels would maintain their lead at 16-13. The lead late in the third set sat at 19-17. UNC would call a timeout with the lead cut to 1 at 19-18. The teams would trade points until the Heels scored a late point on a nice block leading to a Wolfpack timeout with the Heels leading 23-21. UNC would win the set 25-23 after a missed shot down the line leading to the set winning point to the Heels. Amanda Rice led the Pack with 14 kills and Ava Brizard was second with 11. Jada Allen and Martyna Leoniak led the Pack with 4 total blocks.
The fourth set began much like the 3rd with teams trading points back and forth with the scores staying tied until 6-6. The Tar Heels would rattle off the next 3 points to take a 9-6 lead forcing an NC State timeout. After the timeout, the teams traded points until the score was 12-9 Tar Heels. The Pack would then rattle off 3 straight points to tie the game at 12 forcing UNC into a timeout. After the timeout, the Pack would get the next 2 points to take a quick 14-12 lead before UNC would tie the score at 14. The teams traded points until it 19-19 late in the set. The Pack would the next 2 though to take a 21-19 lead forcing the Heels to take a timeout late. A late service error by the Heels gave the Wolfpack a 22-21 lead which is a lead they would not relinquish. The Pack would take the set and the match 3 games to 1.
The win for NC State was its first ever win at Carmichael per the teams official site capping a memorable and historic win for the Wolfpack and capping off a great conference win. With the win the Wolfpack improved to 7-5 in the conference which is good for a tie with Wake Forest for sixth in the ACC just 1 game back of Miami.
Next up for the Pack are 2 straight home games with Boston College and Syracuse this Friday and Sunday respectively.
