Aug. 24, 2007

Box Score

Buffalo, N.Y. - Carolina Volleyball opened the 2007 campaign on a high note as the Tar Heels swept Stony Brook in the opening contest of the University at Buffalo Classic. Stephanie Jansma, a Buffalo native, tallied 44 assists in the victory.

The Tar Heels opened the contest with a 30-23 game one victory as freshman Courtney Johnston tallied seven kills while hitting .455 in her first game as a Tar Heel. Carolina never trailed in the game as Brianna Eskola served six consecutive points and Christine Vaughen served five in a row of her own to push the Tar Heels to a solid lead. Freshman Sue Haydel finished out the game with a kill on one of Stephanie Jansma's 16 assists in the 30-23 win.

Game two was a different story for the Tar Heels as they found themselves behind early as Stony Brook took control of game two. Carolina kept it close throughout never trailing by more than four points. A kill by Haydel to pull the Tar Heels within two (24-22) helped pick up the energy as Carolina reeled off three consecutive points to tie the game at 24-24. Stony Brook answered with three points of its own to close within three points of taking game two. A kill by Jansma stopped the Seawolves run and fueled the Tar Heels the rest of the way. A Heather Brooks kill, a Stony Brook error and back-to-back kills from Lauren Prussing gave Carolina a 29-27 lead that would turn into a 30-28 win.

Carolina continued its impressive run from game two into game three as the Tar Heels took an early 9-4 lead. Stony Broook would battle back to tie the score at 14-14 before Carolina took a lead that it would not relinquish the rest of the match. A 30-25 win would be the result for Carolina in the sweep.

Carolina outhit Stony Brook .248 to .159 in the match and took advantage at the net with 14 total team blocks to just four for the Seawolves. Brianna Eskola led the Tar Heels with 17 digs in the match as Jansma added 13 digs to go along with her team-high 44 assists. The Tar Heels have now won the opening game of their season for the eighth consecutive season and 16 of 18 seasons under head coach Joe Sagula.

Carolina will play two matches on Saturday at noon against Baylor and again at 7 pm against host Buffalo. Fans can follow all the action on TarHeelBlue.com

Back to ACC Home

Email this article

Printer-friendly format