Oct. 5, 2002
Despite 19 kills and five block assists from Alexandra Preiss, the No. 23 Georgia Tech volleyball team dropped a match to No. 11 North Carolina in five games, 28-30, 30-15, 30-24, 23-30, 15-17. With the win, the Tar Heels improve to 15-1, 3-0 Atlantic Coast Conference, while the Yellow Jackets fall to 17-3, 2-1 ACC.
With the match tied at one game a piece, the Yellow Jackets held a 27-21 lead in game three before Lynnette Moster left the match with an ankle injury. Moster was unable to return, finishing the match with 18 kills, a .536 hitting percentage and 2 service aces. The Jackets held on to win game three, but then dropped game four and were unable to win the fifth and deciding game.
“I was proud of our team’s determination and execution tonight and we make no excuses for the loss,” said head coach Bond Shymansky, who now holds a 3-2 record against nationally ranked teams. “North Carolina showed why they are No. 11 in the country and we just didn’t have enough to beat them in the end. Our middles did a great job of being offensive and putting up great blocks. Kele was once again masterful in running the offense. The packed house got a great preview of what’s to come in November in the ACC tournament. Now is when we need to pull together as a team and come out strong for tomorrow’s match.”
Statistically, the Yellow Jackets outhit the Tar Heels .238 to .183 and outblocked them 12 to eight. Jayme Gergen posted 11 kills (.345 percentage) and six blocks while Lauren Sauer notched 11 kills and four blocks. The digs were tied at 68 a piece, with Jennifer Randall recording 13 while Keight Vincent had 12. Kele Eveland had 63 assists and four block assists in the match.
Laura Greene led the Tar Heels with 18 kills and 17 digs in the match.
The Yellow Jackets will return to action Sunday at 3 p.m. against Florida State (10-5, 2-1 ACC) in the Alexander Memorial Coliseum. Free t-shirts will be given out to the first 500 fans. Tickets may be purchased at Gate 1 of the Alexander Memorial Coliseum beginning at 2 p.m.
