CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – The Carolina volleyball team opened their 2022 home schedule slate up hot on Friday night, earning a three-set victory over South Carolina in Carmichael Arena.
It was the Tar Heels’ first win over a Southeastern Conference opponent since the 2014 season.
Sophomore Mabrey Shaffmaster recorded her third double-digit kill outing of the season, leading the Tar Heels with 18 kills, followed by 12 from graduate transfer Charley Niego.
Junior Kaya Merkler put on a special performance in the victory, leading Carolina in hitting percentage (.889), blocks (6), tallying a career-best four service aces, to go with eight kills.
Carolina (2-2) hit .380 on the night, the team’s best hitting percentage through the first three games of the season, while holding the Gamecocks (3-1) to a .160 clip.
The Tar Heel defense also racked up 11 total blocks, the most for Carolina since playing at Michigan on Sep. 12, 2021.
The team will finish out their home-opening weekend with a 6 p.m. matchup against Arizona. Admission is free and the match will be streamed on ACCNX.
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