November 14, 1998

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - The Carolina volleyball team clinched its first ACC regular season title in nine years with a five game victory over Clemson (15-12, 9-15, 15-5, 8-15, 15-9). The victory gives Carolina the number one seed in the ACC tournament which starts Thursday in College Park, Md.

Both teams were plagued by poor hitting percentages as Clemson hit a .132 and Carolina finished with a .161 percentage. The teams were virtually even in every other statistical category with the exception of team blocking where Carolina out-blocked the Tigers 13-8. Three of those blocks came in the fifth and deciding game.

Three seniors, Maya Starks, Erin Berg and Alicia Alford were honored before the their final competition in Carmichael Auditorium. Starks and Berg each had a special achievement of their own during the match as Starks passed the 1,000 career dig mark early in the first game and Berg became Carolina's all-time assist leader with 5,527 total career assists in the third game. Berg passed former leader Sherri Vogel who set the record of 5,513 a decade ago.

The victory improved Carolina's home winning streak to 17 straight matches which marks the first time any Carolina volleyball team has gone undefeated at home for an entire season.

Junior Tori Seibert paced the Heels with 20 kills, and seven total blocks. Berg totaled 48 assists and 11 digs. Sophomore Casey Simpson also had a strong showing finishing with 14 kills and 21 digs.

On the Clemson side, Allison Coday paced the tigers with 22 kills and nine digs. Setter Melissa Kudelka added 45 assists and middle blocker Cindy Stern had 11 kills and 13 digs.

Carolina head coach Joe Sagula says his team is excited about the title. "This is a goal we set for ourselves very early on in the season," Sagula said. "It's such a great accomplishment for the seniors and the entire team. Now we need to prepare for the matches that lie ahead."

The victory moves Carolina*s ACC season record to 13-3 and overall season mark to 26-6. Clemson drops to 19-9 overall and 10-6 in the ACC.

Carolina will face NC State in the first round of the ACC Tournament Thursday at 7:30 pm in College Park, Md.

KILLS:
North Carolina      Tori Seibert    20
Clemson             Allison Coday   22

DIGS:
North Carolina      Casey Simpson   21
Clemson             Skye Frost      24

BLOCKS:
North Carolina      Tori Seibert     7
Clemson             Cindy Stern      5