Carolina Hosts Notre Dame, Louisville to Begin ACC Play

Friday, September 21

Chapel Hill, N.C.

6:30 PM

North Carolina

Notre Dame

September 20, 2018 | Volleyball

ACCNE (Friday)ACCNE (Sunday)Live Stats Notes

CHAPEL HILL – After Hurricane Florence disrupted UNC's regular schedule, the Tar Heels begin Atlantic Coast Conference play by hosting Notre Dame and Louisville at Carmichael Arena Friday and Sunday, respectively.

Friday's 6:30 match vs. Notre Dame is Daddy-Daughter Date Night. Sunday's 1 p.m. match vs. Louisville is 70's Day. Fans can watch both matches on the ACC Network Extra and follow live stats at UNClivestats.com.

Most recently, the Tar Heels topped Elon Tuesday night in three sets – UNC's third sweep of 2018. Carolina is 6-4 in conference openers in the past 10 seasons.

About the Tar Heels (4-5)

With Hurricane Florence forcing a pair of nonconference cancellations, the Tar Heels traveled to Elon Tuesday, coming away with a three-set win at the Schar Center. Hunter Atherton set 22 of UNC's 33 kills while Destiny Cox and Mia Fradenburg registered 10 kills and 10 digs, respectively.
Head coach Joe Sagula is two wins away from 800 career wins and 5 away from 600 with the Tar Heels.
Destiny Cox leads UNC's attack with 116 kills, followed by Skylar Wine with 62. Katharine Esterley and Raleigh Clark pace the Tar Heels in blocks with 32 and 22, respectively. Hunter Atherton runs the offense, averaging 8.74 assists per set. Starting libero Mia Fradenburg tacks on 23 assists with a team-best 110 digs, good for 3.44 digs per set.
Each of UNC's losses have come to either ranked teams or teams receiving votes in the AVCA poll.
Redshirt-sophomore Hunter Atherton paced the Tar Heels to a 1-2 record throughout the three-day tournament in Boulder, Colorado and was named to the Buffs Invite all-tournament team for her efforts.

About the Fighting Irish (6-4)
Following a home-and-home with then-ranked No. 19 Michigan, Notre Dame begins ACC play in the Tar Heel state to face UNC Friday and NC State Sunday. Friday's meeting will be Notre Dame's fifth trip to Carmichael Arena. Each of the Irish's four losses came to 2017 NCAA Tournament teams (WKU, Purdue & Michigan twice).

Ranks top-15 in five statistical categories, including third in opponent hitting percentage (.119)
Runs a 5-1 with setter Zoe Nunz (9.45 A/S) to rank 6th in the ACC
Offense is led by Jemma Yeadon (3.57 K/S) who ranks 27th nationally in attacks/set (11.73)
Picked fourth in the preseason ACC poll.
Head coach Mike Johnson is in his first season at the helm of the Irish after serving as associate head coach since January 2015. Prior to Notre Dame, Johnson led Austin Peay for one year and Xavier from 2010-14.
Finished 2017 with a 22-10 overall record, 12-8 in conference
Fell to Western Kentucky in straight sets in the First Round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament

About the Cardinals (7-4)
After hosting No. 20 Kentucky and Chattanooga, Louisville travels south to kick off league play in North Carolina. Louisville and UNC played two five-set matches in 2017 with the home team each winning one. Middle blocker Jasmine Bennett ranks third nationally with a .467 hitting percentage.

Won four matches to start the season before falling in four sets at Florida
Begins 2018 league play with four road matches before hosting Duke and Wake Forest Oct. 5 and 7.
Jasmine Bennett leads Louisville with a .467 attack percentage while Melany McHenry totals 126 kills.
Primarily runs a 5-1 with Wilma Rivera (10.49 A/S)
Reigning ACC Co-Champion, picked second in the ACC Preseason Poll
Finished 2017 with a 24-7 overall record, 18-2 in conference
Lost to Northern Iowa in straight sets in the First Round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament

Carolina wraps up its home stand Wednesday, hosting NC State at 6:30 p.m. in Carmichael Arena.

Stay up to date with Carolina Volleyball by following the Tar Heels on Twitter and Instagram.