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

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