The hottest team in Chapel Hill just keeps getting hotter. The UNC volleyball team needed five sets to rally past Michigan on Sunday, but they left no doubt in their latest victory, a three sets to none sweep of Elon Tuesday night in Carmichael Arena.

Carolina fought off a determined Phoenix team in a back-and-forth first set which saw Elon use a 5-0 run to lead 18-12. But the Tar Heels used an 8-2 run of their own to even up the set at 20 points apiece, before a trio of kills by Nia Parker-Robinson sealed a first frame victory for the Tar Heels.

UNC used a 5-0 run to take the lead in the second set and never looked back, using kills by Parker-Robinson, Mabrey Shaffmaster, Amanda Phegley and Kaya Merkler to win going away, 25-17.

The third and final set proved to be Carolina’s most lopsided of the season, a 25-8 rout that saw the Tar Heels win nine of the first 10 points and 19 of the first 22. Parker-Robinson again paced Carolina’s offense, earning four kills in the set, including match point.

Parker-Robinson led all players from either team with 14 kills. No other Tar Heel had more than eight. Shaffmaster aced the Phoenix three times, and the Tar Heels displayed remarkable defense on opposing services, not allowing a single ace for Elon in the entire match.

Now 9-0, Carolina will host two more in-state opponents this week, with Charlotte visiting Friday night and Davidson coming to town Saturday afternoon. After that, UNC will begin its ACC schedule with their toughest test yet, a visit from No. 4 Pittsburgh.

 

Featured image via Carolina Athletics


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