Nov. 20, 2004

Box Score

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. -- The fifth-seeded University of North Carolina volleyball team advanced to the ACC Tournament final for the first time since 2001 with a 30-19, 31-29, 30-23, win over No. 9 Clemson Saturday afternoon at Virginia's Memorial Gymnasium. The Tar Heels were led by one of their most balanced performances of the season, as no player had more than Dani Nyenhuis' 16 kills, but five had at least nine. Katie Wright, Amy Beaver and Camilla Ihenetu each had double-digit kills, while Molly Pyles, Taylor Rayfield and Caroline deRoeck all had at least 10 digs. Carolina now awaits the winner of tonight's second semifinal between No. 3 Duke and No. 7 Maryland.

The opening frame was a tale of two runs, as the Tigers (20-14) jumped out to an early 10-4 lead, only to see the Tar Heels (18-14) respond with a 21-3 run to take control of the action. The turning point in the game came with Carolina serving down 11-9. UNC was able to secure the point after an extended rally that saw Pyles make several sprawling digs to lengthen the point. Fittingly, it was Pyles who put down the kill that swung the momentum to the Tar Heels, as they won the game easily, 30-19. Nyenhuis led the way with six kills on 10 errorless swings, while deRoeck had a game-high eight digs.

Clemson rebounded in game two, matching the Tar Heels point for point. Neither team led by more than three in the entire stanza, as the two teams stifled one another with outstanding defense. The game featured 14 ties and six lead changes, the last coming when Carolina scored three straight after trailing 28-26. The Tigers tied the score one last time at 29-all before a Clemson attack error ultimately ended it, 31-29.

Carolina opened game three with a 6-0 run, and it looked like the Tar Heels would win in a rout. But Clemson, the lowest-seeded team remaining in the tournament, showed some of the fight that led them to an upset of top-seeded Georgia Tech on Friday. The Tigers would eventually tie the score at 10-all, and it remained close until a 6-0 run powered by Beaver made it 19-14. UNC would never lead by less than four again, and a McKenzie Byrd ace secured the game, 30-23, and the match.

First serve for tomorrow's final is set for 1 p.m.