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.

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