Volleyball ACCtion: Sunday, October 11
North Carolina shuts out Virginia
Courtney Johnston led the way for UNC with 12 kills in its 3-0 win over Virginia.

Courtney Johnston led the way for UNC with 12 kills in its 3-0 win over Virginia.

Oct. 11, 2009

Tar Heels Crumble Cavaliers 3-0
The University of North Carolina volleyball team defeated Virginia Sunday in dominant fashion with set scores 25-22, 25-22 and 25-18. North Carolina improves to 8-9 overall and 4-2 in league play, as Virginia falls to 7-11 overall and 2-5 in league play. Carolina used a balanced attack with five players with at least five or more kills, including three players in double figure kills. Branagan Fuller (10 kills), Heather Brooks (11) and Courtney Johnston (12) led the Tar Heel attack. Libero Kaylie Gibson notched 19 digs, while Suzanne Haydel chipped in 10 digs. Cora Harms serviced the Carolina attack, that hit at a .280 clip in the match, with 40 assists to go along with 10 digs.

In the opening set Virginia stormed in front 4-0 before a Cavalier service error finally got Carolina on the board. Virginia continued to present problems to the Heels leading 7-2 before a much needed Carolina timeout. The Tar Heels found some offense after the break middle Ingrid Hanson-Tuntland and Heather Brooks to cut the Virginia lead to 13-11. The Tar Heels hung around the entire set before taking their first lead of the match at 22-21 after a Brooks and Courtney Johnston block. Down 18-13 in the first, Carolina used a 12-4 run to finish off the Cavaliers in the first frame 25-22. Brooks, Hanson-Tuntland and Johnston all posted four kills in set one contributing to a .270 hitting percentage. Brooks also notched three blocks to help the Heels claim the first set.

The Tar Heels carried their momentum into the second set darting out to a quick 8-3 lead behind a pair of Branagan Fuller kills forcing a Cavalier timeout. Virginia battled back late slicing the Tar Heel lead to only two points at 24-22, but Carolina proved to be too much winning the second set 25-22. Carolina used a balanced attack in the second set to hit at a .325 clip in frame two, compared to the Wahoos' lowly .163 hitting percentage. Fuller added five kills in set two, Brooks & Johnston (four) and Suzanne Haydel (three) serviced by Cora Harms 15 assists. The Heels never trailed in the second set siding out at a 52% clip.