Nov. 9, 2009

MADISON, WISC. - The University of North Carolina volleyball team now ranks 15th in the country in home attendance, averaging 2,032 fans per home match. In 12 matches hosted at the Dean E. Smith Center, a total of 24,385 fans have cheered on the Tar Heels. Two of the 12 matches have featured over 1,000 Carolina fans - 12,724 fans in a 3-1 win over rival Duke and 7,150 fans this past Friday in a 3-1 win over Virginia. Carolina is the lone ACC team ranked amongst the top 25 schools.

Carolina is 14-12 overall and 10-5 in league play in 2009. The Tar Heels are 8-4 at home this season, including winning their last three matches in the Smith Center. The Tar Heels are familiar to large attendances, North Carolina has played in front of the two largest crowds ever to witness a collegiate regular season NCAA volleyball match. The Heels hosted 16,126 fans in 2003 to set the record and 13,797 fans a year ago against Clemson.

The Tar Heels will close out the regular season with their final five matches on the road, starting this weekend at Maryland Friday and at Boston College Sunday. Head coach Joe Sagula is now only two wins away from 600 career victories, a feat only 16 coaches have ever accomplished at the Division-I level, and only five wins away from 400 career victories at Carolina.