They just keep finding ways to win. The UNC volleyball team picked up its second true road win of the young season Sunday afternoon, and perhaps their most impressive victory yet. The Tar Heels rallied from down two sets to one to win in five sets over Michigan.

UNC hung tough after a lopsided 25-12 first set defeat threatened to run them out of the gym. Carolina used a 5-0 run in the second frame to take the lead over the Wolverines, and fended off every potential Michigan rally to take the set 25-21 and even up the match.

The Tar Heels stayed close in the third, but could not overcome a 6-0 run by the hosts. Michigan took the third set, then stood up 23-18 in the fourth, just two points from sending Carolina to their first loss of the year.

But it was freshman star Mabrey Shaffmaster who came to the rescue, earning four kills in a set-winning 7-0 UNC run to even up the match and send it to a deciding fifth set.

The final set was a nip-and-tuck affair, with Michigan closing to within 10-8 in the first-to-15 frame. But Shaffmaster again powered head coach Joe Sagula’s squad, slamming home two kills in a 5-1 run to put away the Wolverines and close out the comeback victory. Skyy Howard delivered the final kill to kick off the Carolina celebration.

Shaffmaster and Nia Parker-Robinson combined for 32 kills on the day, while Howard led all players from either team with eight blocks.

The Tar Heels will head home with their perfect record still intact at 8-0. The upcoming week sees them play three matches in Chapel Hill: against Elon on Tuesday, Charlotte on Friday and Davidson on Saturday.

 

Featured image via Carolina Athletics

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, […]
›