Sept. 9, 2006

Box Score

CHAPEL HILL --- North Carolina got a career-high 25 kills from Noelle Dyk and career-high dig efforts from four players, including all-tournament performer Brianna Eskola, as the Tar Heels rallied from a 2-0 deficit to knock off Wichita State, 22-30, 24-30, 31-29, 30-28, 17-15, Saturday night in the Carolina Volleyball Classic at Carmichael Auditorium. The win snapped a seven-match losing streak, the team's longest since 1990. Earlier in the day, UNC (2-7) lost to the College of Charleston in four, 27-30, 30-25, 30-25, 30-21.

After quickly falling behind two games to none against the Shockers (8-2), Carolina finally found its rhythm midway through game three. Down 22-18, the Tar Heels got two quick kills from Dyk and two attack errors from WSU to pull within one at 23-22. A solo block by Heather Brooks tied the score for the first time since the early going, and a block by Brooks and Ingrid Hanson-Tuntland at 24-all gave Carolina the lead for good. Hanson-Tuntland, seeing her first extensive action of the season, finished with 11 kills, nine digs and seven blocks. The Tar Heels would waste three game points before a Meg Eckert ace sealed the win, 31-29.

Game four featured similar drama, with Carolina falling into an early hole only to climb ahead in the late stages. Trailing 17-14, Hanson-Tuntland notched two kills and combined with Amy Beaver for two blocks to give UNC the lead at 19-18. On the second block, WSU's Sara Lungren was injured and would not return. Lungren was later named the tournament's Most Valuable Player. After the injury delay, the Shockers responded with a 7-2 run to go ahead 25-22 and force a timeout. That's when Dyk stepped up, putting down three kills and a block in a seven point span to give UNC game point at 29-27. After a side out, a Shocker hitting error ended it in Carolina's favor, 30-28.

The fifth and deciding game opened with both squads trading side outs until a block by Beaver and Eckert gave Carolina a 9-7 lead. Wichita State would reply with a 5-1 run to move ahead 12-10. After a service error and a Dyk kill tied it, a Shocker side out forced UNC to call time. Beaver and Dyk provided back-to-back kills to get to match point, but the Shockers spoiled a pair before Brooks and Hanson-Tuntland teamed up for a block to make it 16-15. The freshman duo would repeat their performance on the next point, stuffing the WSU attack and ending the comeback.

Eskola anchored a strong defensive effort all night with a career-high 38 digs. Joining her with career-highs in that category were Stephanie Jansma (27), Eckert (21) and Beaver (11). Jansma (63 assists) and Beaver (15 kills) also notched double-doubles.

Deanna Patrick had a match-high 23 kills to lead the College of Charleston past UNC in the earlier match. The rematch of last season's NCAA Tournament showdown played out much like the original, with the Cougars (4-2) using the strong defense of libero Marie Dobrenz to control play. Dobrenz finished with a match-high 31 digs.

Carolina will begin Atlantic Coast Conference play next Friday as the Tar Heels host cross-town rival NC State at 7 p.m.