Oct. 20, 2009

 

Match Notes

AVCA Coaches Poll

ACC Statistics

ACC Standings

2009 Carolina Statistics

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - The University of North Carolina volleyball team is 10-9 overall and 6-2 in league play in the midst of the conference season. Carolina defeated then ACC leader Duke Friday and Wake Forest Sunday, both with match scores of 3-1. Carolina is in a three-way-tie for second place entering matches against Miami and Florida State. Carolina ranks first in the ACC in digs per set, led by sophomore libero Kaylie Gibson's 5.16 digs per set in eight conference games. The Tar Heels are 2-6 on the road this season, but look to extend their three game winning streak with matches away from home against Miami and No.17 Florida State this weekend. Live stats for Miami are available on tarheelblue.com, while the Florida State match will be broadcasted live via Fox Sports Florida.

No Place Like Home - North Carolina is 5-2 at home this season, but only 2-6 away from home. Four of the five Tar Heel wins at home have been in league play. Since 2004, when Carolina started to play away at Miami and Florida State in the same weekend the Tar Heels have never defeated both teams in the same year on the road. Three out of five times the Heels have lost both matches.

Ample Attack - North Carolina posts two players in the top-ten in league hitting percentage. Middle blockers Heather Brooks (.372, 5th) & Ingrid Hanson-Tuntland (.349, 9th). The Heels have posted a higher hitting percentage than their opponent in five out of the last six matches. It is no coincidence the Tar Heels have won each of those matches. Assisting the Tar Heel attack is freshman setter Cora Harms, who has posted 30 or more assists in every conference game, good for fourth in the league with 10.94 assists per set. Senior Branagan Fuller has posted 39 kills in her last three matches, she posted only 39 kills in her previous six matches. Outside hitter Suzanne Haydel was recently named Tar Heel Progress Energy Performer of the Week.

Daunting Defense - The Tar Heels have held their last six opponents to a .200 hitting percentage or below, including then ACC leader Duke to only a .134 clip. Carolina leads the ACC in digs per set at 17.55 in eight league matches. Libero Kaylie Gibson ranks first in the league with 5.16 digs per set. The Heels have also improved their blocking behind veterans Heather Brooks and Ingrid Hanson-Tuntland, who have earned 23 of the Heels' last 34 blocks.

SCOUTING THE HURRICANES - Miami is 12-7 overall and 5-4 in league play entering their match against the Tar Heels. The Hurricanes post league wins over Virginia, Georgia Tech, Wake Forest, Boston College and Maryland. Nicole Lantagne Welch's club is led by talented sophomore Lane Carico who posts an astounding 5.33 kills per set to lead the ACC. Miami has won four out of their last five games entering this week.

SCOUTING THE SEMINOLES - Florida State leads the ACC with an 8-1 record entering matches aginst lowly NC State and upstart North Carolina this weekend. The Seminoles are ranked No.17 in the AVCA coaches poll, sporting a 17-2 record with their only losses coming against No.10 Florida and Georgia Tech. Chris Poole's club posts the leagues top hitting percentage (.311) and opponent hitting percentage (.154). The Seminoles have won 14 of their last 15 games, and 12 of their wins have only taken three sets.