In yet another straight set sweep by the undefeated No. 14 North Carolina volleyball team, this time against a familiar opponent from earlier in the season, coach Joe Sagula had to look outside his starting rotation to help put the pesky Fighting Irish away for good.
But he didn’t have to look much further than the hot hand of junior outside hitter Lauren Adkins, who came off the bench to more than quadruple her career average kills per game and provide the spark needed to keep the Tar Heels’ 13-game win streak alive.
“That’s been her role,” Sagula said. “I was real excited for her. That was a big one for her, for building her confidence again.”
The 6-foot Florida native said it’s a role she’s gotten used to and one she’s been glad to fulfill.
“Everyone has a role on the team, and I guess mine is to come in and add energy as much as I can, so I try to do my best with that and just getting everyone fired up and if that’s by getting a block or getting a kill I’ll do whatever it takes to do that,” she said.
Adkins swung for a team-high .467 hitting percentage with nine kills, second only to graduate student Jovana Bjelica.
“I think I was just really focusing on being aggressive every time I got set, just when I have the opportunity to be smart and put the ball on the court,” she said.
Senior opposite hitter Kayla Berringer said the team appreciates the support Adkins provides in her role off the bench and the energy she brings into the game.
“Each player, whether they’re starting or not, plays a huge role in our team,” Berringer said. “Everyone is a key player on this team. Everyone can go in at any time and get the job done.”
