North Carolina State University Athletics
Volleyball Heads to UNC for Midweek Match
10/4/2011 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Oct. 4, 2011
NC State (14-2 overall, 2-2 ACC) at North Carolina (12-3, 4-0)
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: Carmichael Auditorium, Chapel Hill, N.C.
Series record: North Carolina leads 73-28
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NC State season stats | North Carolina season stats
RALEIGH, N.C. - This is one thing that NC State second-year head coach Bryan Bunn can say about his Wolfpack volleyball team's recent southern road swing: "The players left everything on the court."
In two five-set matches against Georgia Tech and Clemson, the Pack came home with a split, taking a comeback win over the Yellow Jackets on Friday and dropping a narrow decision on Saturday at Clemson in the second weekend of ACC action.
"Either match could've gone the other way," Bunn said. "We could've won both, or we could've lost both. But I do know that we left everything we had on the floor."
So tonight, when his team travels to Chapel Hill to play North Carolina in a 7 p.m. match at Carmichael Auditorium, Bunn has every expectation of seeing the same against the Tar Heels, who are unbeaten in ACC play. Doors open at 6 p.m. and admission is free.
"It's a rivalry match and that makes it a lot more fun," Bunn said. "We just need to be prepared to play."
The Wolfpack (14-3 overall, 2-2 ACC) continues to get spirited play from its lineup of veterans and newcomers. Senior Margaret Salata leads the team in kills, hitting percentage and points. She's ranked 11th nationally with a .408 hitting percentage.
Junior Megan Cyr, coming off the second 50-assist match of her career, leads the ACC in assists with 11.05 per set.
Sophomore Brie Merriwether has blossomed along with Salata at middle blocker and freshmen Nicole Glass, Rachel Buckley, Laura Blab and Dariyan Hopper rotate with seniors Luciana Shafer and Becah Fogle to give Bunn multiple options at outside hitter.
On the back line, the Wolfpack has gotten steady production from senior librero Kelly Wood, freshman Alston Kearns and junior Alexa Micek.
"The middle blockers have been playing really well," Bunn said. "Other positions, we have had people step in at different times and contribute. In both matches last weekend, we had people come in off the bench and get the job done for us.
"The good thing about this group is that it is always a team effort."
The Tar Heels also have a young lineup that is led by junior Emily McGee, a preseason All-ACC selection. She leads the team in kills (197), service aces (12) and is second in digs (140).
Tuesday's contest at UNC concludes a five-match road trip to open the ACC season for the Wolfpack, which will be back at home in Reynolds Coliseum the next two weekends.
On Friday, Miami visits Reynolds, looking to avenge last year's 3-0 loss to the Wolfpack in a 7 p.m. contest. Admission is free and the game will be streamed lived on GoPack.com/All-Access.
On Sunday, the Wolfpack hosts Florida State in its first televised match of the season. The game will be shown on Fox Sports South, beginning at 1 p.m. Admission is free to the contest.
"It will be nice to be back at home in Reynolds after a couple of weekends away, but the matches will be tough," Bunn said. "Florida State and Miami will probably be two of the top three teams in the ACC this year and they are both looking for NCAA bids.
"We are going to have to be at the top of our games. We beat Miami last year, so I am sure they are going to be ready for us. It's going to be a battle."
