Aug. 26, 2006

NORMAN, Okla. --- North Carolina hit just .027 for the match and no Tar Heels reached double figures in either kills or digs as UNC dropped its second match of the day to Oklahoma, 30-15, 30-19, 30-25, Saturday night in the final matchup of the Sooner Legends Nike Invitational at McCasland Field House. With the loss, Carolina (1-2) finishes third in the tournament, while OU takes second. Bekah Brinkley, who led the Tar Heels with seven kills, was named to the all-tournament team.

Oklahoma dominated from start to finish in a 30-15 win. The Sooners hit .353 for the game and held the Tar Heels to just six kills and a -.032 hitting percentage. Joanna Schmitt and Eliane Santos combined for 11 kills and zero attack errors. OU sprinted out to a quick 7-2 lead and never trailed after that. UNC pulled to within three on two occasions, the last coming at 11-8.

Game two got off to a much more promising start for the Tar Heels, with Carolina jumping ahead 8-3 in the early going. But the Sooners were once again too much, using runs of 8-2 and 12-2 to blow the game open, winning 30-19. For the second consecutive frame, OU easily outhit UNC (.326 to .050) while outblocking the Tar Heels five to zero.

Carolina stayed close for most of game three, but once again Oklahoma pulled away to secure the sweep with a 30-25 win. The score was tied as late as 18-all, but the Tar Heels were unable to string together points and the Sooners took control. A kill by Santos, who finished with 13 kills and just one attack error, clinched the match.

After returning to Chapel Hill Sunday morning, Carolina will prepare for next weekend's LAX LMU/USC Invitational in Los Angeles, Calif. The Tar Heels will face Utah, Tennessee and Loyola Marymount.