The UNC volleyball team snapped its losing streak with a pair of wins against Santa Clara and Coastal Carolina over the weekend at Carmichael Arena.

Against the Broncos on Friday, the Tar Heels found themselves down 17-14 midway through the first set but ended on an 11-5 run to earn a hard-fought 1-0 lead in the match. A pair of kills by Mabrey Shaffmaster helped Carolina break a 20-20 tie for the 25-22 first-set win. Santa Clara evened the match in the second set, but UNC nosed back in front with a dominant third set and then outlasted the Broncos in a tight fourth. Santa Clara fought off four consecutive match points, but a kill from Carolina’s Romani Thurman finally put the match to bed and clinched the 3-1 win. Thurman finished with 11 kills on the night, third on the team behind Shaffmaster and Emani’ Foster.

On Sunday, Carolina once again found itself in a tight opening set against the Chanticleers. Coastal Carolina stayed with UNC throughout and got as close as 24-23, but a kill by Foster closed out the set in favor of the hosts. A 5-0 run from Coastal late in the second set trimmed a 22-16 UNC lead down to 22-21, but the Tar Heels responded with a 3-0 run to win the set. Carolina then pulled away in a dominant third set, using a kill by Shaffmaster on match point to seal the deal.

UNC is now completely done with non-conference play in the regular season. The Tar Heels will open ACC play against Virginia on Friday at 6 p.m. in Chapel Hill.

 

Featured image via UNC Athletic Communications/Anthony Sorbellini

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