Comeback Falls Short As Broncos Lose to UNC

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - The Western Michigan volleyball team submitted a gritty effort on the road, but were unable to complete the comeback as the Broncos fell to the North Carolina Tar Heels 3-1 (25-17, 23-25, 28-26, 25-20) in the second match of the Carolina Volleyball Classic on Saturday. With the loss, the Broncos fall to 5-3 on the season, and will face LSU in the final match of the tournament at 5:30 p.m.

The Broncos rallied from a 1-0 deficit to tie the match at one set apiece, but the Tar Heels were able to hold on in an exciting third set to take the 2-1 lead. The Broncos challenged the Heels in the fourth set, but were ultimately unable to overcome the home team.

Terin Norris recorded a double-double with a match-high 49 assists and a team-high 13 digs, while three other players also reached double figures in digs. Jessica Brown had a team-high 16 kills with no errors, finishing the match with a .485 hitting percentage as well as five digs and three blocks. Ali Gossen also breached double figures in kills with 12, and added seven digs and two blocks. The Broncos out-blocked the Tar Heels 8.0 - 6.0 and led in digs with a 60-54 advantage.

The Broncos recovered from a first set loss to tie the match with the Heels, thanks to a well-rounded defensive performance. Trailing 16-14 in the set, the Broncos went on a 6-1 run to take control of the set. Caroline Rose notched a back row attack for a kill to kick off the run, and Norris notched a service ace to tie the set at 16-16. The Broncos would take the lead on the next play on a UNC attack error, and Stephenee Yancy would notch a solo block to make it 18-16. Yancy would record a kill to give the Broncos a 20-17 lead and force a UNC timeout, and though the Tar Heels would pull to within 24-23, the Broncos would take the set when Carlee Berland hit a bounce down line for a kill.

The third set proved to be the most exciting of the afternoon, as the two teams traded points back and forth for the duration of it. The Broncos trailed 21-18 late in the set, but would go on a 4-0 run to briefly take the advantage. Brown tied the set at 21-21 with a slide play for the kill, and Gossen went with a roller over the block to give the Broncos a lead and force the timeout. Berland would score the set-tying kill to make it 26-26, but the Heels were able to put together two straight points to clinch the set 28-26.

The Broncos had a chance to force a fifth set when Yancy launced a kill to tie the fourth at 18-18, but the Heels recorded three straight points to ice the set for the win.