Aug. 23, 2007

BUFFALO, N.Y. --- The University of North Carolina volleyball team opens play this weekend with the University at Buffalo Classic Friday and Saturday. The Tar Heels will face Stony Brook, Baylor and the host Bulls to kick off their 2007 campaign. The trip will be a homecoming for junior setter Stephanie Jansma, a native of nearby Lancaster.

Carolina is looking to rebound from a disappointing 11-20 finish in 2006. The Tar Heels did, however, end last season on a high note, winning five of their final seven matches. UNC returns 12 of 14 letterwinners from that squad, including six starters.

This weekend's opponents are not familiar foes, as the Tar Heels have never played any of the three teams in the tournament. Carolina will open with Stony Brook on Friday at 4:30 p.m. before playing a pair of matches on Saturday. UNC faces Baylor at noon before meeting Buffalo at 7 p.m.

The Buffalo match will be a reunion for a pair of former Carolina assistants. UB third year head coach Jim Lodes was an assistant under UNC head coach Joe Sagula for three seasons from 2002-2004. Buffalo assistant Tucker Short was a volunteer assistant at Carolina in 2003.

Stay tuned to TarHeelBlue.com for full coverage throughout the weekend and the 2007 season.