Two wins in one day? Sounds like a perfect start for head coach Joe Sagula and the UNC volleyball team.

The Tar Heels, competing in the SMU Doubletree Invitational in Dallas this weekend, won their first two games of the event Friday, defeating Stephen F. Austin in straight sets and Pacific three sets to one.

Freshman Mabrey Shaffmaster, making her first-ever starts at the NCAA level, amassed a team-high 21 kills on the day, one ahead of teammates Kaya Merkler and Nia Parker-Robinson.

Against Stephen F. Austin, the Tar Heels utilized momentum-seizing runs of 11-1 and 9-2 in the first and second sets, respectively, before riding out a competitive third set for the win.

Just three hours later on the same court, the Tar Heels won the first two sets against Pacific, clawing back from a 19-16 deficit in the second. After dropping the third set, Carolina put Pacific away in the fourth, 25-22.

This is the first time the UNC volleyball team has won their first two games of the season since 2016, when Carolina finished 29-4 and advanced to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament. The Tar Heels will try to make it three straight wins to start the season when they face hosts Southern Methodist Saturday at 2 p.m.

 

Featured image via Carolina Athletics

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