As it looks to capture the program’s elusive first national championship, the UNC volleyball team opened NCAA Tournament play on Friday with a dominant 3-0 (25-13, 25-12, 25-23) sweep over the High Point Panthers.

Ranked No. 7 heading into the tournament, the Tar Heels looked every bit like the more dominant team at Carmichael Arena–totaling seven service aces and out-hitting High Point by a margin of 26.6 percent to 5.1 percent.

It was also the fourth time in its last five matches that UNC didn’t drop a single set.

Tonight, I thought we came out really strong,” UNC head coach Joe Sagula said after the game. “I thought we set the momentum early, served tough, and took some really good swings.

“I was really pleased and I think our experience showed early,” he added. “Overall, we didn’t block as well as we typically do, and I thought High Point did a really great job with 12 blocks on the match. I’m happy that we won this match and ready to focus on the next one at hand.”

ACC Freshman of the Year Julia Scoles led the Tar Heels in nearly every statistical category on Friday, as she tallied 16 digs, nine kills and three of the team’s seven service aces.

Beth Nordhorn was second on the team with eight kills, while ACC Player of the Year Taylor Leath was next with seven.

Next up for UNC is a 24-hour turnaround, as the Tar Heels will have limited time to rest before taking on Coastal Carolina on Saturday in the NCAA Second Round.

“I’m so glad we’re playing at home,” Sagula said. “We’re going to be as prepared as we can be in 24 hours.”

 

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