Sept. 4, 2008

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - After one of the most competitive opening season tournaments in recent memory the North Carolina volleyball team returns home to host the annual Carolina Classic. The Classic will have a different feel to it this year as all six matches will be played in the Dean E. Smith Center while Carmichael Auditorium undergoes renovations during the 2008 season. Davidson and Georgetown open tournament play at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 5 before the Tar Heels take the floor against Missouri State at 7 p.m.

The Tar Heels are coming off an 0-3 weekend in Champaign, Ill. where they faced off against a trio of Top 25 teams. In the opening match the Tar Heels fell to No. 19 Illinois 0-3 before falling to No. 13 Oregon 0-3 and formerly ranked No. 24 New Mexico State 1-3.

Carolina will look to bounce back this weekend when they take on the likes of Missouri State, Georgetown and Davidson. The Tar Heels are 11-2 all-time against the Hoyas of Georgetown and a perfect 7-0 against in-state foe Davidson. The Tar Heels will be facing off against Missouri State for the first time in school history. Junior Christine Vaughen earned all-tournament honors for her efforts at the Illini Classic. Carolina was tabbed to finish fourth in the Atlantic Coast Conference with Vaughen and senior libero Brianna Eskola earning preseason All-ACC accolades as voted upon by the coaches before the season began.

Davidson
The Wildcats were picked third in the South Division of the Southern Conference at the beginning of the season and senior captain Kittery Neale was named to the preseason all-conference team. Davidson opened the season last weekend at the Black & Gold Challenge hosted by Wake Forest and finished the weekend 1-2. The Wildcats fell to Wake Forest 3-0 on Friday before falling to Winthrop 3-0 in their first match Saturday. Davidson picked up a win in their final match against Norfolk State with a 3-0 sweep. Kittery Neale earned all-tournament honors.

Georgetown
The Hoyas took part in the DC Challenge a week and went 2-1 defeating George Mason on the road in 3-0 fashion. Georgetown then took George Washington and won in a sweep before falling to 2007 Carolina Classic participant American in a sweep. Caitlin Boland and Sara Manley earned all-tournament honors for Georgetown who was selected 12th in the 15 team Big East.

Missouri State
The Bears opened the season at the Long Beach State Invitational a week ago finishing at 1-2 for the tournament. The Bears were in every match as they dropped the opener 3-2 against San Francisco before beating Indiana 3-1. The host Long Beach State closed out Missouri State's weekend by handing the Bears a 3-1 defeat. Missouri State was picked fourth in the Missouri Valley Conference Preseason Poll as Sara Staubach earned preseason all-conference honors for the Bears.

2007 Carolina Classic
Western Kentucky claimed the 2007 edition of the Carolina Classic with a 2-1 overall record earning the title over both Villanova and Carolina by way of winning percentage. American was the final participant and went 0-3 a year ago.

2008 Carolina Classic Schedule
Friday, Sept.5
Davidson vs. Georgetown, 4:30 p.m.
North Carolina vs. Missouri State, 7 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 6
Missouri State vs. Davidson, 10 a.m.
North Carolina vs. Georgetown, 12 noon
Missouri State vs. Georgetown, 4:30 p.m.
North Carolina vs. Davidson, 7 p.m.

Admission for the Carolina Classic is free to the public.