Feb. 10, 2005

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - In a meeting of two of the top wrestling squads in the Atlantic Coast Conference, North Carolina (4-7, 3-1 ACC) hosts league newcomer Virginia Tech (13-4, 3-0 ACC) at Fetzer Gym at 7:30 p.m. Friday. The Tar Heels and Hokies have not met since a 30-12 Carolina win during the 2001-02 season.

Carolina enters the match fresh off losses to Drexel and No. 25 Penn last weekend, while Virginia Tech defeated Ohio University and Cumberland College a week ago.

The match will feature a meeting of two of the nation's top 133-pounders in the Tar Heels' Evan Sola, who is ranked 11th in the latest NWCA/InterMat rankings, and Virginia Tech's David Hoffman, who checks in at No. 10. These two met earlier this season with Hoffman claiming a 7-3 decision at the Southern Scuffle in Greensboro on December 30. Sola has not lost since that match, winning 12 straight to improve to 24-3 overall and 11-0 in duals. Hoffman currently stands 29-3 and 16-1 duals.

Friday's heavyweight bout also features two of the nation's best in UNC's Spencer Nadolsky, who has been in and out of the national rankings this season, and the Hokies' Mike Faust, who currently ranked 19th. Nadolsky is 24-12 on the year with an 8-3 dual record, while Faust is 25-5 and 16-1 in duals.

Other Tar Heels to watch include freshman Isaiah Britton, who is 22-11 at 141, and sophomore David Dashiell, who is 18-13 at 197. Virginia Tech 165-pounder Chris Stith is 21-9 and ranked No. 20 nationally.

This match will be held in Fetzer due to the Carolina-Virginia Tech women's basketball game, which will be played at Carmichael Auditorium Friday night.

Following Friday's action, Carolina travels to Charleston, S.C., Sunday to face No. 9 Central Michigan (12-3) and The Citadel (2-5). CMU will be the sixth nationally-ranked opponent for the Tar Heels this season.