Pitt
20-7, 10-5ACC
North Carolina
16-8, 13-2ACC
Volleyball Swept by No. 25 North Carolina
11/13/2015 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - The University of Pittsburgh volleyball team was swept by No. 25 North Carolina Friday evening at Carmichael Arena.
The Tar Heels [16-8, 13-2 ACC] took down the Panthers [20-7, 10-5 ACC] 28-26, 25-20 and 25-21.
"The biggest problem of the night was how we managed the game emotionally," said head coach Dan Fisher. "We had trouble moving on quickly. When North Carolina scored they would go on runs. We weren't able to turn the page fast enough."
Standing out for Pitt in the loss was graduate student Kadi Kullerkann, who posted 18 kills and a .325 hitting percentage against UNC. Kullerkann's double-digit kill streak continues to live, now with 17 straight and 25 on the season.
Senior Amanda Orchard hit .312 and added eight kills, while sophomore Kelsey O'Neill tallied nine kills.
"We had a strong right side performance tonight," said Fisher. "Kadi [Kullerkann] has been playing like this all year, but Kelsey's [O'Neill] play was a pretty big bright spot. She's put together a few good games in a row, which we need, so that's definitely a positive."
Senior Jenna Jacobson posted 22 assists, while redshirt freshman Angela Seman dug up 16 balls for the Panthers.
The Panthers fell in the opening set, 28-26, following a North Carolina comeback in the final points. Pitt began the first set with a bang, forcing an early UNC timeout after taking an 8-2 lead. Kullerkann led the Panthers in the opening points, scoring three of the first four and concluding the set with seven. Pitt continued to lead through the middle of the set, but the Tar Heels fought back to tie the game at 19. After exchanging points, North Carolina earned its first lead of the game at 23-22. Pitt fought off three of Tar Heels set points, but gave up the win on the fourth.
The Panthers trailed 2-0 after dropping the second set, 25-20. UNC pulled ahead 8-3 early on, but Pitt quickly cut the Tar Heels' five point lead to two. The Panthers stuck around in the set coming back within a point twice throughout the set, but UNC pulled away in the final points to win.
The Tar Heels returned from the break to finish off Pitt in the final set, 25-21. While UNC took a fast 4-1 lead, it didn't last long as a five point run by the Panthers put Pitt ahead, 8-5. The Tar Heels tied the game at 10, but the Panthers held its lead midway through the set. Heading into the final points, Pitt and UNC exchanged back and forth points, but the Tar Heels notched three final points to take the set.
Up Next
The Panthers will play back-to-back nights, as they make the short trip to NC State on Saturday, Nov. 14. Game time is slated for 7:30 p.m.
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