The last time the North Carolina volleyball team took on the Hurricanes of Miami, senior Emily McGee said it was a whirlwind of confusion, chaos and anxiety.
Coach Joe Sagula said the team had no inspiration — no motivation.
Watching the game video made him nauseous.
“Who was that team we played earlier?,” he said.
“They were like imposters.”
But Friday the Tar Heels imparted those familiar feelings of frustration on to the Hurricanes in a 3-0 sweep in front of a crowd of about 1,600 fans.
“All the things we’ve practiced this whole week, we just executed really really well on and just stopped all of their offense pretty much and even their defense,” she said.
It was that stopping on both fronts that led Sagula to say that his team was clicking in all aspects of the match.
“Defense was phenomenal. The numbers that the outside hitters had were great, but that’s because it was a great team effort,” Sagula said.
“There was not just one great player tonight. There were so many people that shined. That’s what it’s going to take to be successful and make a run at the end of postseason.”
McGee finished the night with 10 kills and 17 digs to add to Adkins’ 12 kills and 13 points. Kayla Berringer registered 10 kills and 12 points, while Paige Neuenfeldt and Chaniel Nelson contributed nine and seven kills respectively.
Sagula said senior Tia Gaffen was the unsung hero of the match with her active blocking and defense.
But Sagula also said — as he has told his team close to 100 times this season — success comes down to the fundamentals, something his team proved they were well rehearsed in Friday night.
“Whoever wins serving and passing — all those kills and the blocks they’re great and the dynamic — but the things behind it — great serving, great passing — win volleyball games.”
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