Carolina Volleyball Opens 2021 Season at SMU Doubletree Invitational

Friday, August 27

University Park, Texas

10 AM

North Carolina

Stephen F. Austin

Photo by: Jeffrey A. Camarati

Carolina Volleyball Opens 2021 Season at SMU Doubletree Invitational

August 26, 2021 | Volleyball

UNC at SMU Doubletree Invitational Notes WATCH UNC at SMU (ESPN+)LIVE STATS

CHAPEL HILL – After an unique 2020-21 season impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, Carolina volleyball is ready to open its 2021 campaign on the road at the SMU Doubletree Invitational in University Park, Texas, from Aug. 27-28.

The Heels will face Stephen F. Austin, Pacific and host SMU in the tournament, their first non-ACC regular-season opponents since Sep. 21, 2019.

Coach's Comments
"The first weekend of play is always exciting. This team has been working hard in the preseason and it's exciting to be able to see that growth on display in competition. We're also excited to be in the hometown of three of our players. They're going to have family and friends traveling to see them, as well as UNC volleyball alumni." – head coach Joe Sagula

UNC Tournament Schedule (Played in Moody Coliseum)
Aug. 27 – UNC vs. Stephen F. Austin
Time: 11 a.m EST
Live Stats: https://smumustangs.com/sidearmstats/wvball/summary
Stream: No video stream
Radio: www.sfavolleyblog.net

Aug. 27 – UNC vs. Pacific
Time: 6 p.m. EST
Live Stats: https://smumustangs.com/sidearmstats/wvball/summary
Stream: No video stream

Aug. 28 – UNC at SMU
Time: 3 p.m. EST
Live Stats: https://smumustangs.com/sidearmstats/wvball/summary
Stream: www.espn.com/watch/player?id=e5e1bf26-baa5-44b6-aea3-65af0c5fd668 (ESPN+)

Series Breakdown
UNC vs. SMU
Series: UNC Leads 1-0
Last Meeting: UNC Won 3-0 On Sept. 17, 2016, in Fort Worth, Texas

UNC vs. Pacific
Series: Pacific leads 1-0
Last Meeting: Pacific won 3-0 on Dec. 4, 1982, in Stockton, Calif. (NCAA Regional First Round)

UNC vs. Stephen F. Austin
Series: Have never played each other

Season Outlook
» Sagula begins his 32^nd season as head coach of the Tar Heels with his largest roster ever. The 20-athlete roster features six newcomers. Carolina finished the 2020-21 season tied for sixth in the ACC with Miami with a 10-8 record, its second straight winning season. Carolina was picked to finish seventh in the ACC in the Preseason Coaches' Poll.
» In the off-season, the Heels added veteran experience to the roster with the addition of three graduate transfers: Nia Parker-Robinson (Northwestern), Meghan Neelon (Alabama) and Emma Reynolds (Cal Poly).
» The Tar Heels also have three talented freshmen on the roster: Carson Overbeck, Mabrey Shaffmaster and Marissa Meyerhoefer. Shaffmaster, a 6-1 outside hitter, ranked as the No. 1 recruit in Indiana by MaxPrep, leading the state of Indiana in kills for each of her four years of high school.
» North Carolina finished last season ranked No. 3 in the conference in service aces, averaging 1.56 a set. Austin Parker led the team in kills with 132.

Home Sweet Home
Three Tar Heels will return to their home state of Texas this weekend: Skyy Howard (Dallas), Annabelle Archer (Fairview) and Emily Zinger (Little Elm).

O'Captain My Captain
Voted on by their peers, Annabelle Archer and Ryan Shannon are Carolina volleyball's 2020-21 team captains. This is the second season in a row that the two will be Tar Heel team captains.

Coaching Update
On Aug. 17, the Heels announced the addition of Phoebe Havenaar to the coaching staff. Havenaar, who will serve as Carolina's volunteer assistant coach, was an all-conference player in the South Atlantic Conference, was named a ACVA All-American in 2018 and garnered NCAA All-Region honors during her playing career at Wingate University.

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