The UNC volleyball team took its second straight loss after 11 straight wins to begin the season, falling in four sets to Virginia in Chapel Hill Sunday.

The Tar Heels and Cavaliers split easy wins in the first two sets, with Virginia taking the first by a 25-17 margin and Carolina cruising in the second, 25-15. The third set was the most competitive of the match, with UNC never being quite able to pull away from the visitors despite holding a lead throughout most of the frame. A kill from Kaya Merkler gave Carolina a set point at 24-23, and a chance to take a two sets to one advantage. But an attacking error from Mabrey Shaffmaster evened the set up at 24-24, and Virginia won the next two points to take the critical frame by a 26-24 score.

Carolina began the fourth set well, holding a 4-1 lead after five points, but a 6-1 Virginia run to take a 15-12 lead turned the tide. The Tar Heels closed to within 21-20, but were never able to completely do away with the Virginia lead, and the Cavaliers put the match to bed with an ace to win the set, 25-21, and take the match.

Shaffmaster led all players from either team with 16 kills, but Virginia’s Alana Walker dominated net play with 11 blocks.

The Tar Heels still hold an 11-2 record with a road trip to Florida offering chances to make up for the weekend’s losses to Pitt and Virginia. Carolina will visit Miami on Friday, October 1 and Florida State the following Sunday.

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: November 2-8, 2026
Election? What election? A busy fall for Tar Heel sports rolls on as several teams begin ACC Tournament play this week.
UNC Volleyball Sweeps Syracuse, Boston College to Extend Winning Streak
UNC earned two dominant wins against Syracuse and Boston College during the weekend at Carmichael Arena, not dropping a single set between the two matches. It was one-way traffic in the first two sets against the Orange Friday, as UNC outscored Syracuse 50-22 across the two frames. In the first, an 11-1 Tar Heel run […]
This Week in UNC Sports: October 26-November 1, 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 week of Halloween means several UNC sports will be wrapping up their […]
UNC Volleyball: Tar Heels Beat Cal, Upset No. 15 Stanford in 5 Sets
In a thrilling weekend of volleyball at Carmichael Arena, No. 23 UNC beat Cal in four sets Friday and then upset No. 15 Stanford in five sets late Sunday night. Against the Bears Friday, the Tar Heels used a key 4-0 run to break open an 11-11 tie in the opening set and eventually won […]
This Week in UNC Sports: October 19-25, 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. October will roll on with another very busy week of Tar Heel sports. […]
UNC Sports: Field Hockey Wins; Volleyball, Women's Soccer Both Lose On the Road
Several UNC women’s sports programs were in action Sunday. The field hockey team earned a ranked win at home, while the volleyball team and the top-ranked women’s soccer team both fell on the road to highly-ranked foes. In field hockey, a late goal from Charly Bruder broke a 1-1 tie with No. 13 Syracuse and […]
UNC Sports: Field Hockey, Men's Soccer, Volleyball All Earn ACC Wins
It was a successful Friday evening for multiple UNC sports teams, as the field hockey, men’s soccer and volleyball squads each earned big wins in ACC action. In field hockey, the Tar Heels returned home to Karen Shelton Stadium for the first time in almost a month and celebrated the occasion with a 4-0 win […]
This Week in UNC Sports: October 12-18
More and more of UNC's winter sports are beginning their seasons as we hit the middle of October, and "crossover season" is upon us.
UNC Sports: Field Hockey Loses at No. 17 Liberty, Volleyball Sweeps Virginia Weekend
Both the UNC field hockey and volleyball teams were in action in the state of Virginia over the weekend. The field hockey team couldn’t follow up a blowout win at Saint Joseph’s Friday with a win at No. 17 Liberty Sunday, falling to the Flames 2-1. The volleyball team, meanwhile, earned two resounding wins at […]
UNC Volleyball Sweeps Clemson, Comes Back vs. Georgia Tech in Winning Weekend
UNC played two very different matches of volleyball during the weekend at Carmichael Arena, sweeping Clemson Friday and then coming back from two sets down to beat Georgia Tech Sunday. The Tar Heels had little trouble with the Tigers Friday, winning each set by at least five points. UNC set the tone early, jumping out […]
›