Amber Aniston • November 28, 2024

No. 25 North Carolina Defeats Virginia 3-1 in Final Home Volleyball Match of 2024 Season

The No. 25 North Carolina Tar Heels volleyball team secured a commanding 3-1 victory over the Virginia Cavaliers on Wednesday afternoon in their final home game of the 2024 season at Carmichael Arena. With set scores of 25-19, 25-5, 20-25, and 25-16, the Tar Heels showcased their offensive firepower and defensive resilience to improve to 21-7 overall and 13-6 in ACC play. Virginia, meanwhile, dropped to 21-9 and 11-8 in conference action.


The match was highlighted by a record-breaking second set for the Tar Heels and strong individual performances from several players. Mabrey Shaffmaster led the offensive charge with 16 kills, while Jackie Taylor and Alexis Engelbrecht combined for a dominant presence at the net.


A Historic Second Set for North Carolina

After taking the first set 25-19 with a balanced offensive effort, North Carolina delivered a historic performance in the second. The Tar Heels jumped out to an unprecedented 14-0 lead behind the serving of Safi Hampton and relentless attacking from their front line. Carolina posted 13 kills with a .500 hitting percentage in the set, allowing Virginia to score just five points.


The 25-5 set victory marked the largest margin of victory for North Carolina in the 25-point rally scoring era, which began in 2008. It was also their most dominant set since October 14, 2005, when they defeated Georgia Tech 30-10 in a single set under the previous scoring system.


Virginia’s Fightback in the Third Set

Despite North Carolina’s overwhelming momentum, Virginia regrouped in the third set to stay alive in the match. The Cavaliers capitalized on a 10-3 scoring run midway through the set, led by Elayna Duprey’s powerful kills and the defensive efforts of Milan Gomillion, who finished the match with 19 digs. Virginia closed out the set 25-20, demonstrating resilience and keeping the contest competitive.


North Carolina Dominates the Fourth Set

In the fourth set, the Tar Heels quickly regained control, building an 11-5 lead that forced an early Virginia timeout. Jackie Taylor emerged as the offensive star, recording eight kills in the set to power North Carolina to a 25-16 victory. Taylor’s performance capped off a career-high 13 kills for the match, complemented by a .571 hitting percentage.


The Tar Heels’ balanced attack included contributions from Alexis Engelbrecht, who hit an outstanding .800 with 12 kills on 15 swings, and Safi Hampton, who added double-digit kills of her own. Setter Taylor Eisert distributed the ball effectively, finishing with a match-high 29 assists while Zoe Behrendt chipped in with 22 assists.


Defensive and Offensive Highlights

North Carolina’s defensive efforts were equally impressive, as they tallied 12 blocks and limited Virginia to a .205 hitting percentage. Engelbrecht led the team with four blocks, while Maddy May and Eisert anchored the back row with 15 digs each. The Tar Heels’ ability to transition from defense to offense was a key factor in their success, particularly in the opening and closing sets.


On the offensive end, the Tar Heels posted 66 kills and a hitting percentage of .458, their highest in ACC play this season. The efficient attacking and strong serving from players like Shaffmaster and Hampton allowed North Carolina to maintain control throughout most of the match.


Notable Achievements



  • Jackie Taylor’s 13 kills marked a career-high performance, highlighting her growth as a key contributor for the Tar Heels.
  • Alexis Engelbrecht’s .800 hitting percentage and 12 kills were among the most efficient performances of the season for North Carolina.
  • The Tar Heels extended their dominance in the all-time series against Virginia, improving to 57-16 overall.


Looking Ahead

With their final home game behind them, the Tar Heels will close out the regular season on the road against Clemson on Friday night. North Carolina will aim to secure another victory to build momentum heading into postseason play, as they are poised for an NCAA tournament berth.


Virginia, meanwhile, will conclude their regular season at home against Boston College on Saturday afternoon. The Cavaliers will look to bounce back and finish strong in front of their home crowd before awaiting their postseason fate.


A Memorable Season Closer

North Carolina’s victory over Virginia not only marked a strong finish to their home schedule but also showcased the team’s potential heading into the postseason. The Tar Heels’ ability to dominate offensively, defend at a high level, and respond to adversity underscores their readiness for the challenges ahead. As they prepare for their final regular-season match and a likely NCAA tournament appearance, the Tar Heels are hitting their stride at the perfect time.

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