Nov. 1, 2002
Despite a career high 22 digs by Lynnette Moster and a season-high 22 kills from Alexandra Preiss, the No. 23 Georgia Tech volleyball team dropped its’ second five-game match this season to No. 13 North Carolina, 27-30, 27-30, 30-28, 30-27, 12-15. With the win, the Tar Heels improve to 22-2, 9-1 Atlantic Coast Conference while the Yellow Jackets fall to 22-5, 8-3 ACC.
Tech fell behind two games to none, but fought back in games three and four to tie the match. In game five, the Jackets were up 10-5, but were unable to win the decisive game, allowing the Tar Heels to outscore them 10-2 over the final points of the match.
“It was another frustrating five-game loss to North Carolina, but as usual Carmichael is a really tough place to steal a victory, especially when you are playing against a team as good as North Carolina. We were unable to contain their outside hitters but the difference was the defense. They played more inspired than we did, especially in games one and two, and we didn’t have enough in the end. Our only solace is that the title comes through O’Keefe Gymnasium in three weeks and we’ll be ready.”
Offensively, the Jackets hit only .191 as a team to the Tar Heels .211. Preiss tallied 22 kills (.306 pct.), followed by 16 from Lynnette Moster, a career-high 16 from Jayme Gergen (.371 pct.) and a career high 14 kills from Laura Kuhn (.423). Defensively, Marisa Aston recorded 17 digs, followed by Kele Eveland who had 15, Jennifer Randall with 14 and Keight Vincent with 13. At the net, Preiss recorded seven blocks, followed by Eveland, Lauren Sauer and Gergen who each had four.
The Tar Heels were led by outside hitters Laura Greene and Molly Pyles, who were virtually unstoppable in the match. Greene tallied 26 kills (.257 pct.) and 28 digs, while Pyles had 23 kills (.233 pct.) and 27 digs.
The Yellow Jackets will return to action Saturday, facing NC State at 1 p.m. in a match that will be played at nearby Peace College.
