What makes Chapel Hill volleyball so good?
The Tigers have won back-to-back 3A Eastern Regional Championships under third-year head coach Ross Fields. This year, they’ve won their first five Big 8 Conference matches while dropping only one set.
For starters, there’s the front line. Junior middle hitter Courtney Zwikker (the daughter of former UNC center Serge Zwikker, who played one season with the Houston Rockets and overseas in Spain and Italy) is 6-foor-3. Her younger sister, Ellen, is 6-foor-1. Junior Kaya Merkler, who leads the team with 110 kills, is also 6-3.
There’s no other lineup like that in the Big 8. It’s why the Tigers have won 22 consecutive conference matches. Its last Big 8 loss came against Cedar Ridge on October 6, 2016.
On Tuesday night, the Tigers rolled past Orange 3-0 in Hillsborough on scores of 25-15, 25-18 and 25-22. The Lady Panthers led the last set 22-20 until the Tigers captured the five of the final six points off the serve of junior Caroline Wright.
Orange fell to 6-4, 2-3 in the Big 8 Conference. Junior Emma Clements led Orange with nine kills, 19 digs and one ace. Seniors Liz LaNier had four kills. Kaitlyn Werden led the team with 14 assists, along with 12 digs and two aces.
Lady Panthers coach Kelly Young, who said she was aiming to eventually beat Chapel Hill last month, believes her team has a different mindset in conference games.
“Our girls want it,” said Young. “But I think we’re playing harder in against nonconference (teams) because you have nothing to lose. When we play conference (games), there’s a little bit more on the line. I think that gets in our heads a little bit and we play a little bit more robotic. A little bit more tense versus their typical play, when they just have fun and relax.”
Merkler led the Tigers (11-3) with 17 kills, eleven digs and one block. Junior setter Sam Breschi, the daughter of UNC men’s lacrosse coach Joe Breschi, finished with 37 assists, eight digs and one kill. Ellen Zwikker and Courtney Zwikker each had nine kills.
“The girls were pumped up,” said Young. “They were excited. We had a great practice yesterday (Monday). It’s great to have good teams in the conference. It only makes us better.”
Chapel Hill remains tied for first in the Big 8 with crosstown rival East Chapel Hill at 5-0. The two teams have a long-awaited showdown next Tuesday at East.
Young believes the race for first in the Big 8 may have another competitor.
“Honestly, I think Northwood has a really strong team,” said Young. “I don’t think anyone really counted out yet. This conference is almost been notorious for an underdog coming up at the last minute. I think there’s a lot of teams fighting for that top position. I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s a tie at the top.”
As for Young’s team right now?
“We’re at the middle of the pack,” said Young. “We should be near the top, honestly. We just have a mental block. If we get through that mental block that we have in conference games, then we’ll be fine.”