A dominant first set win wasn’t enough for the UNC volleyball team Sunday afternoon against Louisville, as the visiting Cardinals won three straight sets afterward to take the match and remain undefeated.

Louisville, ranked No. 2 in the country, is now 23-0 on the season, while the Tar Heels fell to 18-7.

Carolina played some of its best volleyball of the year in the first set, taking five of the first six points and never trailing. Nia Parker-Robinson, Mabrey Shaffmaster, Kaya Merkler and Skyy Howard all contributed kills during the frame, a 25-14 win for the Tar Heels.

But for as good as Carolina looked in the opening stages, the Cardinals looked even better afterward. Louisville took the first five points of the second set and ended it with seven straight in a 25-11 win. A 10-1 run in the third set turned a 10-10 tie into a 21-11 advantage, which Louisville turned into a 25-18 win. Another 6-1 run in the fourth gave the Cardinals a lead which they wouldn’t give up. UNC fought back to within 20-17, but couldn’t quite get over the hump. The Tar Heels didn’t hold a single lead after their first set win.

With their toughest stretch of the season now behind them, the volleyball team will play three of their four remaining matches on the road. First up is a visit to Virginia Tech on Friday afternoon, as Carolina vies to secure a trip to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2016.

Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees. You can support local journalism and our mission to serve the community. Contribute today – every single dollar matters.

Related Stories
‹
This Week in UNC Sports: September 21-27, 2026
This series of posts will be made weekly on Chapelboro with a full schedule of UNC sports contests, both in Chapel Hill and elsewhere. Note that game times and broadcast information are subject to change due to inclement weather or other factors. It’s a lighter week for UNC sports as we approach the end of […]
UNC Volleyball Loses to No. 1 Nebraska, Beats Florida Gulf Coast in Lincoln
UNC dropped a four-set match at No. 1 Nebraska Friday night but came back and beat Florida Gulf Coast the next day in four sets, splitting a weekend event in Lincoln. In the weekend’s first matchup against the top-ranked team in the nation, the Cornhuskers flexed their muscles in a 25-14 first set win. But […]
This Week in UNC Sports: September 14-20, 2026
The upcoming week offers several high-caliber matchups for multiple UNC teams both at home and on the road.
UNC Sports: Field Hockey, Women's Soccer Win; Volleyball Loses in New York
Several UNC women’s sports teams were in action up and down the east coast Sunday. In Virginia, the field hockey team earned a 2-1 win at Richmond, while down in Chapel Hill the women’s soccer team cruised to a 5-0 win at Dorrance Field against NJIT. Meanwhile, up in New York City, the volleyball team […]
UNC Volleyball Swept at No. 3 Kentucky, Suffers First Loss of 2026 Season
UNC fell in three sets to No. 3 Kentucky on the road in Lexington Wednesday night, suffering its first loss of the 2026 season. The Wildcats dominated the first set, winning 16 of the final 21 points on their way to a 25-11 victory. Carolina was more competitive in the final two sets, but ultimately […]
UNC Volleyball Beats JMU, Survives Colorado State Comeback to Earn 2 Home Wins
UNC stayed undefeated in 2026 with a four-set win against James Madison Thursday and a five-set thriller against Colorado State Friday, both in Carmichael Arena. The Tar Heels dropped the first set against the Dukes Thursday despite winning the first three points. JMU flipped a 7-5 deficit into a 14-9 lead midway through the set, […]
This Week in UNC Sports: August 31-September 6, 2026
This series of posts will be made weekly on Chapelboro with a full schedule of UNC sports contests, both in Chapel Hill and elsewhere. Note that game times and broadcast information are subject to change due to inclement weather or other factors. The first week of September means that fall sports are well and truly […]
UNC Volleyball Begins 2026 Season With Consecutive Sweep Victories
The UNC volleyball team is off to a 2-0 start to the 2026 season after straight set victories at Davidson Saturday and at home against UNC-Wilmington Sunday. Opening the season with a true road match for the first time since 2022, the Tar Heels trailed for much of the first set against the Wildcats. Davidson […]
UNC Volleyball Picked 5th in ACC Preseason Poll; 2 Tar Heels Receive All-ACC Honors
UNC has been picked to finish fifth in the ACC’s preseason volleyball poll, and Tar Heels Chelsea Thorpe and Safi Hampton both were named to the league’s preseason All-ACC team. Thorpe enters the final season of her collegiate career after posing 318 kills and 90 blocks in 2025, while Hampton’s 399 kills led the team. […]
UNC Volleyball Releases 2026 Regular Season Schedule
The UNC volleyball program has released its schedule for the 2026 season, the fourth under the leadership of head coach Mike Schall. The Tar Heels are looking to build upon a 2025 season which saw them advance to the NCAA Tournament’s second round. The full slate is set😤 pic.twitter.com/BEs2INXji6 — Carolina Volleyball (@UNCVolleyball) July 14, […]
›