Oct. 28, 2003

Box Score

Chapel Hill, N.C. - North Carolina improved its record to 17-8 after defeating N.C. State 3-1 in Carmichael Auditorium. The Tar Heels won 30-21, 30-27, 29-31, 30-13. Sophomore outside hitter Dani Nyenhuis had 17 kills and 18 digs to lead UNC to the victory.

"I was really excited for about 85 percent of the match," said UNC head coach Joe Sagula. "The only time I was disappointed was in the third game when we were up 21-17 and I had all the confidence in the world we could finish off that game, but we just didn't have the focus we needed. We learned from that and I like that we are young team but still competing and playing at a good level. That is important."

Senior middle hitter Aletha Green had 14 kills and eight blocks, including six block solos. Freshman Amy Beaver contributed to the win as she had a career high 12 kills. Other key contributors included junior libero Caroline deRoeck, freshman outside hitter Meg Eckert and freshman middle hitter Emily Guerry. DeRoeck had 13 digs, while Eckert had nine kills and 15 digs. Guerry had a career high six kills and a .364 hitting percentage.

"I was happy," said Sagula. "You can't not be happy with a win, especially playing against an in-state school. N.C. State I think played a very good match and did some good things in the second and third game especially."

Junior defensive specialist Jayme Mitchell also sparked UNC to victory as she had three key service aces to go along with tying her career high in digs with eight. Junior outside hitter Molly Pyles and sophomore outside hitter Camilla Ihenetu both did not participate as they rested due to nagging injuries.

N.C. State was led by freshman Julia Reis, as she had 14 kills and 21 digs. Maya Mapp contributed 11 kills and Caroline Frede had 18 digs. The match was delayed in the fourth game due to an injury suffered by Reis. The extent of the injury is not yet known.

UNC will next head to Tallahassee, Fla. to take on Florida State on Oct. 31 at 7 p.m.