Carter Robinson
Fresman outside hitter Rebecca Ring spikes the ball during the game against UNC-Chapel Hill on Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025. Ring had 17 kills. NC State fell to UNC-Chapel Hill 3-1.
CHAPEL HILL, NC — NC State volleyball got out ahead early against No. 25 UNC-Chapel Hill, but couldn’t hold back the powerful Tar Heel offense, falling 3-1.
The Wolfpack (7-5, 0-2 ACC) overwhelmed the Tar Heels (9-2, 2-0 ACC) in the first set, forcing Carolina to scramble, and despite NC State making more attack errors and more service errors, its 14 kills proved to be the difference.
“We made them really uncomfortable with our serve and our offense [in the first set],” said head coach Megan Wargo-Kearney. “We did a good job mixing up shots, and we passed pretty well too.”
But the Pack couldn’t keep up the high kill rate in the next two sets and the errors piled up, handing the next two frames to UNC.
Ultimately, down 24-23 with a chance to tie the game and extend the match, the Pack’s hopes were dashed after an attack error by senior outside hitter Courtney Bryant, with the ball missing just wide of the sideline.
The Pack moves to 0-2 in the conference, with both losses coming to its rivals down the street. On Friday, NC State fell 3-1 versus the Blue Devils.
“[I’m] proud of the way we competed and fought,” Wargo-Kearney said. “Because I feel like we did that against Duke. … I challenged them: ‘Hey, what is the identity of this team?’ And I feel like we showed what the identity of our team can be.”
The Wolfpack didn’t lay down after the Heels had dominated much of the match heading into the final sequence. Down 23-20 and needing to stage a comeback, the Pack fought tooth and nail, making clutch digs, kills and serves, including a clutch ace from senior middle blocker Lily Cropper to get it within one point.
Enforcing Tar Heels domination at the net were opposite hitters Laynie Smith and Chelsea Thorpe, who kept the Pack’s top hitter, Bryant, at bay. Out of 52 attacks, Bryant recorded 12 kills — her lowest total in the last five games. Against Duke, Bryant recorded a career-high 22 kills.
“They have two big [opposite hitters] that shut down Courtney,” Wargo-Kearney said. “They did a good job, but Courtney has just gotta keep swinging, and we trust a lot in what she does.”
Bryant didn’t live up to her standards at the net, but on the return maintained excellent form with a team-high 19 digs.
Stepping up on the other side of the court was freshman outside hitter Rebecca Ring, who recorded a career high 17 kills in 59 attacks. Freshman opposite hitter Jordan Smith complemented her fellow rookie with 13 kills of her own.
“What a great day for Rebecca,” Wargo-Kearney said. “I think that we’re building a really special young group here, so it’s going to be pretty fun to see in a couple years what they develop into.”
Next up, the Wolfpack will face Miami on Friday Oct. 3 at 7 p.m in Reynolds Coliseum.