@CanesVB Falls at No. 9 UNC in Three Sets

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – The University of Miami volleyball team dropped the opening match of this weekend’s road trip to North Carolina, falling at No. 9 UNC in three sets.

North Carolina took the opening set, 25-12, but Miami got solid play from senior Emani Sims. The middle blocker tallied four kills and a service ace while hitting .375 in the first set.

The Tar Heels took a 2-0 lead into the intermission after a 25-12 second set victory. Savanah Leaf led the Canes with five kills in the set, but UNC jumped out to an early 6-1 lead that Miami could not catch.

The Hurricanes battled the Tar Heels in the third set, but came up just short. North Carolina took the final set, 25-22, to win the match, 3-0. 

Seniors Leaf and Sims led Miami in Chapel Hill with Leaf tallying a team-high 12 kills and Sims recording a team-best .400 attack percentage. Leaf added 10 digs, three blocks and an ace, recording her eighth double-double of the season. Sims led all Canes with five blocks and added a service ace.

Simmons and sophomore Kelsie Groot each chipped in with four kills, while Taylor Scott added a pair of kills and led the Hurricanes with 15 digs.

Freshman setter Haley Templeton distributed 32 assists, while junior defensive specialist Kalysta White added five digs.

The Canes will close out the weekend with a 1 p.m. match in Raleigh against NC State Sunday.

Following this weekend’s matches at UNC and NC State, Miami returns to the James L. Knight Sports Complex to host Louisville and Virginia. The Canes will welcome Louisville to the ACC on Nov. 7 at 7 p.m., while Virginia will face Miami at 1 p.m. on Nov. 9. Admission is free to both matches.

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