Sept. 8, 2006

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CHAPEL HILL --- Noelle Dyk matched a career high with 17 kills, but North Carolina dropped its sixth straight match to Illinois, 30-28, 35-33, 30-26, Friday night in the Carolina Volleyball Classic at Carmichael Auditorium. Stephanie Alde hit a sparkling .632 with 13 kills to lead the Illini (7-0).

Carolina (1-6) took the early advantage in an uneven game one, pulling ahead 5-2. Both teams were victimized by service errors, with the Illini committing seven to six for the Tar Heels. With neither squad able to sustain an extended run, the frame was tight throughout, featuring 15 ties and eight lead changes. With the score tied at 24, Illinois scored two quick points to force a timeout. Dyk responded with back-to-back kills to even the score, but the Illini would get three more in a row to reach game point at 29-26. An Ashley Board ace pulled Carolina to within one at 29-28, but Illinois got a side out to end it, 30-28.

Just as in game one, most of game two saw neither team able to string together points. With Carolina holding its biggest lead of the game at 23-19, Illinois finally made a run. The Illini won seven of the next eight points to take a 26-24 lead. But the Tar Heels were able to weather the storm behind Bekah Brinkley and Dyk, who combined for 14 kills in the game, and tie the score at 27. The late stages featured the best volleyball of the night, as the two teams traded several dramatic game points. Carolina served for the game four times starting at 29-28 before Illinois won two straight to get its first game point at 33-32. Following a pair of side outs, the Illini clinched the match on a UNC attack error, winning 35-33.

After two games of almost dead even play, Illinois threatened to run away with game three. With the score tied at 12, the Illini won 11 of the next 14 points to build an eight-point lead at 23-15. They would maintain that lead until 26-18, when Carolina made a run of its own. Behind three kills by Dyk and a big solo block by Stephanie Jansma, Carolina won seven straight to pull within one at 26-25. But Illinois was able to hold off the Tar Heels, winning four of the final five points to clinch the match, 30-26.

UNC will look to get back in the win column Saturday at noon when the Tar Heels face the College of Charleston.