Sept. 21, 2009
2009 Statistics
Weekly AVCA Poll
ACC Schedule
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - The University of North Carolina volleyball team is 4-7 heading into conference play this weekend. The Tar Heels open ACC play at Clemson Friday, Sept. 25 and at Georgia Tech Sunday, Sept. 27. Eight teams have played one conference game already with 13 conference games scheduled for the week of September 21. Both Carolina opponents played each other Sept. 11, as the Yellow Jackets defeated the Tigers 3-2 in Atlanta.
The Tar Heels endured another frustrating weekend of play losing both its matches to Delaware 3-2 on Friday and American 3-1 on Sunday. Carolina was up 2-0 Friday against the Blue Hens and 19-13 in the third set, but dropped the final three sets to suffer their second fifth set loss. The Heels rebound effort against the American Eagles fell short as four Eagle players' registered double-digit kills. The pair of losses extends Carolina's losing streak to four games, the longest such streak since Carolina lost four in 2006.
There were a few bright spots for the Heels this past weekend. Suzanne Haydel tied her career high with 20 kills against American, hitting at an impressive .500 clip.
Libero Kaylie Gibson recorded a new career high with 39 digs against Delaware Friday, eclipsing her old mark by 13. Ingrid Hanson-Tuntland matcher her career best 17 kills against Delaware and chipped in 10 kills against American. Freshman Cayla Shortley played in her first career match Sunday against Delaware.
Slow Starts - Carolina is 4-7 in the first set this season and has lost the first two sets in five out of 11 matches. The Heels have two come from behind victories after dropping the first two sets, but got a taste of their own medicine this past weekend. After controlling the first two sets at Delaware, the Heels looked like they were cruising to their second sweep of the season Friday. The Tar Heels were only six points away from winning the match at 19-13, before the Blue Hens roared back to win the final three sets and take the match. Carolina is 1-3 in three set matches, 1-2 in four set matches and 2-2 in five set matches.
Competitive Attack - The Tar Heels possess six talented hitters this season. Ingrid Hanson-Tuntland leads the team with 99 kills, followed by Heather Brooks (94), Suzanne Haydel (92), Emily McGee (66), Branagan Fuller (61) and Courtney Johnston (39). "We have five hitters on the court. We have to get three to four effective hitters per match," Coach Joe Sagula said. "One of the things we thought we had was balance, that we could get double-digit kills from all five hitters on the court." Freshman Heather Henry (30 kills) and team captain Megan Owens (25 kills) are additional options for the Carolina attack. Setters Erica Behm (355 assists) and Cora Harms (91 assists) service the Heels offense.
Defensive Transition - Carolina is still searching for more defense this year as opponents are posting a .217 hitting percentage compared to a .148 clip in 2008. 2009 graduate Brianna Eskola is the ACC's all-time leader in digs, as sophomores Kaylie Gibson and Aleksandra Georgieva look to be replacements at libero. Gibson enjoyed her best two games this past weekend, earning a new career high with a 39 digs effort against Delaware. "For me for defense, I have just been trying to stay confident," Gibson said. "This last week in practice, I just decided to play my game and go after every ball that comes my way."
Quality Opponents - Carolina has played one of the toughest schedules in the country. The out-of-conference schedule included three ranked teams, #13 Southern Cal, #16 Michigan State and #20 Wichita State. Familiar ACC foe Florida State is ranked #18 this week. Carolina enters ACC play after experiencing tough competition in their first 11 matches.
Scouting Clemson - The Tigers are 9-2 this season and 0-1 in league play. Clemson lost its first conference match to Georgia Tech 3-2 on September 11 and plays Carolina and NC State this weekend. The Tigers have one other common opponent in #16 Michigan State, who defeated both the Tigers and Heels 3-2. Clemson has won six matches 3-0 and is led by ACC kill leader Lia Proctor (170 kills), ACC blocks leader Alexa Rand (73 blocks), Kelsey Murphy (66 assists) and Didem Ege (211 digs).
Scouting Georgia Tech - The Yellow Jackets are 7-4 overall and 1-0 in the ACC. Georgia Tech defeated Clemson 3-2 on September 11 and plays both Carolina and NC State this weekend. The Yellow Jackets recently lost to Denver and #9 Minnesota this past weekend both 3-1. Georgia Tech is led by Bailey Hunter (149 kills), Mary Ashley Tippins (464 assists), Jordan McCullers (164 digs) and Asia Stawicka (53 blocks).
