Nov. 16, 2009

MADISON, WISC. - The University of North Carolina volleyball team ranks 15th in the country in home attendance for consecutive weeks, 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, while Georgia Tech (47) and Clemson (48) check in the top 50 schools.

The only major change in the attendance rankings from a week ago was Washington who leaped from 10th to seventh place in the rankings. Three '09 Carolina opponents rank in the top 25 - Wichita State (8th), Michigan State (16th) and Colorado State (19th). The Heels played at Wichita State and Michigan State, while hosting the Rams in the 2009 Carolina volleyball classic.

Carolina is 15-13 overall and 11-6 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 play their final three matches on the road, but in the state of North Carolina. Carolina will travel to Winston-Salem, N.C. Friday to play Wake Forest at 7:00 p.m. and will play at rival Duke Saturday at 7:30 p.m. The Heels finish their 2009 slate in the state's capital November 25th against N.C. State.