Michigan
5-0
North Carolina
4-3
Wolverines Roll to Three-Game Triumph Over Tar Heels
9/11/1998 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Site:Â Ann Arbor, Mich. (Cliff Keen Arena)
Score:Â Michigan 3, North Carolina 0 (15-10, 15-12, 15-6)
Team Records:Â U-M (5-0), UNC (4-3)
Next Match:Â Saturday, Sept. 12 -- vs. Louisiana State (Cliff Keen Arena), 3 p.m.
ANN ARBOR, MICH. -- The University of Michigan volleyball team received quality contributions from its bench as the Wolverines' depth helped U-M past North Carolina in three games (15-10, 15-12, 15-6) Friday night (Sept. 11) in the All Sport® Challenge in Cliff Keen Arena.
In game one, Michigan got out to a early lead (7-2) paced by a pair of service aces from Joanna Fielder (Costa Mesa, Calif./Newport Harbor HS). North Carolina answered that with a run of its own to cut the deficit to one at 7-6. After a Michigan timeout, the Maize and Blue went on a spurt to lead 14-6 and put the game away 15-10.
Game two saw the Wolverines break out to a early lead of 11-4 only to have North Carolina battle back and cut the deficit to one at 13-12. However, sophomore Nicole Kacor (Chicago, Ill./Mother McAuley HS) came off the bench to provide an ace and a kill among Michigan's final three points to close the door on game two 15-12.
Unlike the first two games of the match, Michigan took the early lead in the third game and did not look back in posting a 15-6 win to turn in its second consecutive three-game victory.
Consistent play at the net came from Karen Chase (Orinda, Calif./Miramonte HS) with a attack percentage of .472 (21-4-36) as well as Linsey Ebert (Fowlerville, Mich./Fowlerville), who was a force in the middle.
MATCH BESTS
Kills: U-M 54 (Karen Chase 21); UNC 41 (Casey Simpson 14)
Assists:Â U-M 51 (Alija Pittenger 27); UNC 38 (Erin Berg 35)
Service Aces: U-M 8 (two tied with 2); UNC 6 (Brooke Ruschiensky 4)
Digs:Â U-M 40 (two tied with 7); UNC 34 (three tied with 7)
Blocks:Â U-M 3 (five tied with 1); UNC 7 (Shannon Smith 4)
NOTES
• Michigan's five straight wins to open the season equals the Wolverines best start under head coach Greg Giovanazzi. Michigan also started the season with five wins in Giovanazzi's initial season of 1992.
• Michigan's win evened the all-time series with North Carolina at 2-2. The Wolverines have now defeated the Tar Heels for two consecutive years, including a five-game thriller in 1997.
