The UNC volleyball team extended its winning streak to six games with victories against Syracuse and Boston College in Carmichael Arena over the weekend. The Tar Heels are now 2-0 in ACC play for the first time since 2016.
Against a previously unbeaten Syracuse team on Friday, Carolina dominated the first two sets. The Tar Heels won a combined 50 points compared to just 23 for the Orange. The third set was tighter, with Syracuse taking a 22-20 lead, but the Tar Heels won the final five points of the set thanks to three errors.
Sophomore Safi Hampton led the way with 11 kills, while Mabrey Shaffmaster served in four aces. Syracuse had zero aces as a team.
Boston College provided a stiffer challenge on Sunday. After Carolina won the first set 25-19 and led 17-12 midway through the second, the Eagles rallied to win 26-24 despite Carolina saving two set points. BC once again made things interesting in the third, winning four straight points after trailing 23-18. But kills from Alexis Engelbrecht and Hampton shut the door on the set, and UNC closed out another tight frame in the fourth to win 25-22 and take the match three sets to one.
Shaffmaster finished with 19 kills, including the decisive blow on the match’s final point. Hampton and Engelbrecht combined for 23 kills, with Engelbrecht adding three blocks.
Carolina is now 10-1 overall through 11 matches, its best start to the season since 2021 — also the last time the Tar Heels reached the NCAA Tournament. Up next for UNC is a doubleheader against Duke: Carolina will visit Durham on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m., and the Blue Devils will pay a return visit to Carmichael the next night at 7 p.m.
Featured image via UNC Volleyball on Twitter
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