Sept. 12, 2009
Box Score
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - North Carolina fell to Colorado State 3-0 in the final match of the 2009 Carolina Classic. The Tar Heels fall to 4-5 on the season while the Rams improve to 6-3 on the young season. Carolina was led by the offensive trio of Heather Brooks, Emily McGee and Ingrid Hanson-Tuntland. After dropping the first two sets to the Rams, Carolina has now lost the first two sets in four out of the last five games.
The Tar Heels had one of their better starts of the year in the first frame, but Colorado State proved to be too much. Ingrid Hanson-Tuntland and Emily McGee got the Heels started offensively with three kills apiece early. Carolina was plagued by three serve errors throughout the first set that included six tie scores and four lead changes. The Rams' Danielle Minch, Carolina Classic MVP, led all players with five kills in set one. Carolina hit only .065 in the first set compared to the Colorado State's .156, as the Rams claimed the set 25-20.
The Rams jumped out to a quick 9-5 in the second set behind a balanced attack before a Carolina timeout. Hanson-Tuntland and Heather Brooks added some offense to help the Tar Heels fight back to cut the lead to two at 16-14. Carolina was never to get over the hump in the second set as the Rams' hit at a .382 clip in to win set two 25-16. After dropping set two to Colorado State, Carolina has now dropped the first two sets in four out of the last five games.
Carolina was able to take its second lead of the match in the third frame. Heather Brooks, Emily McGee and Ingrid Hanson-Tuntland pushed the Heels in front 16-14 before a prompt Colorado State timeout. The lead quickly vanished as Colorado State went on a 4-1 run before a timely Carolina timeout. The Rams never looked back winning the set 25-22 and the match 3-0.
The Heels are now 0-3 all-time against Colorado State. Carolina lost 3-0 a year ago in Fort Collins, Colo. North Carolina will be back in action next weekend on the road against Delaware on Friday and American Sunday. The following week the Tar Heels will open conference play at Clemson September 26.
