North Carolina Downs Virginia in Quarterfinals of the 2002 ACC Volleyball Championship

Nov. 22, 2002

Atlanta, Ga. - First-team All-ACC performer Laura Greene contributed a match-high 22 kills and 36 digs, leading the Tar Heels as No. 1 seeded North Carolina took down No. 8 seeded Virginia 3-1 (30-28, 27-30, 30-24, 30-23) at the 2002 ACC Volleyball Championship Friday in O'Keefe Gymnasium.

North Carolina (29-2) will advance to play No. 4 seeded Florida State Saturday afternoon at 1:30 p.m. Virginia, the No. 8 seed in this year's championship, concludes its season with a 9-25 record.

"I am just happy that we are able to advance to the next match of this championship. Virginia played a great match and really challenged us today. We had to play at our best to get the win," said North Carolina Head Coach Joe Sagula.

Nationally 12th ranked North Carolina won a close game one 30-28, led by 2002 ACC Player of the Year Laura Greene's five kills and ten digs. In the scrappy defensive game, North Carolina edged Virginia in digs with 33 to the Cavaliers' 31.

The Cavaliers, led by middle Shannon Boyle's five kills, took down North Carolina 30-27 in game two. Virginia hit .275 in the win and recorded 26 digs. Greene for North Carolina had seven kills and seven digs in game two.

North Carolina grabbed game three 30-24, holding Virginia to a .086 hitting percentage and capitalizing on the Cavaliers' five service errors. Tar Heel outside hitter Malaika Underwood collected four kills to go along with five digs in game three.

In the fourth game, the Tar Heels took control of the game early and maintained a large lead throughout the game, winning 30-23. Second-team All-ACC Molly Pyles had a double-double in the Tar Heel victory with 15 kills and 21 digs. Greene tied a ACC Volleyball Championship match record with her 36 dig performance. Her 36 digs also set a new career and school mark.

Virginia was led by middles Shannon Boyle and Alexis Geocaris, who each posted 15 kills. Virginia had four players in double-digit digs, with ACC All-Freshmen team member Kristin Chaney recording a team-high 23 digs.