After coming up just short of a miraculous comeback victory against NC State on Friday, the UNC volleyball team put themselves in a similar position during its ACC home opener on Sunday against Louisville.
This time, however, the Tar Heels managed to finish the job.
UNC rallied from two sets down against the Cardinals, on the way to a hard fought 3-2 victory (19-25, 18-25, 25-18, 25-19, 15-12).
The win brings head coach Joe Sagula’s squad to 4-6 this season, with a 1-1 record in conference play. Louisville, meanwhile, drops to 7-5 (1-1 ACC) after the loss.
It was a balanced effort for the Tar Heels, who received at least nine kills from five different players–led by 11 from last season’s ACC Player of the Year, Taylor Leath.
Beth Nordhorn and Holly Carlton each added 10 kills, while Sydnye Fields and Sehrena Hull both chipped in nine apiece.
“Without a question, the best defensive play we’ve had all year,” Sagula said after the game. “We had to, because Louisville is a tenacious team. It’s hard to put the ball down on one swing. I have a lot of respect for them, they’re having a good season, had a big win against Notre Dame (on Friday).
“For us to be able to do this,” the coach added. “I thought took really, really gutsy play.”
The defense was evident in the numbers, as well, seeing as the Tar Heels tallied a season high 13 blocks as a team. Each player who spent significant time on the front line had at least two blocks during the match.
Despite being unable to conjure up the same magic just two nights prior against NC State, the UNC players refused to give up hope that they could make it happen on Sunday.
“I think the loss at NC State stung a little bit more than other losses, because we really found that energy that sticks, where you can flow with your teammates,” junior Casey Jacobs said. “In the third and fourth sets we just felt it, where you don’t even know what the score is. It’s magical. That loss stung pretty bad.
“Today, we were very determined that was not going to happen again,” Jacobs added. “We went out and got the job done.”
Up Next:
UNC will take on Clemson in its next game, which is set for Friday, September 29 at 7 p.m.
Photo via Jeffrey A. Camarati (UNC Athletics)
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