Oct. 21, 2003

Chapel Hill, N.C. - North Carolina fell to 15-7 on the season after getting defeated by 14th ranked Notre Dame 3-1. The Tar Heels lost 27-30, 30-26, 21-30, 26-30. Junior outside hitter Molly Pyles led Carolina with 21 digs and twelve kills.

"I was excited about the intensity and level of play we had tonight for three of the four games," said head coach Joe Sagula. "Notre Dame is just an outstanding team. Not only do they play the net well, but they have outstanding backcourt defense. That was tough, we took some great swings tonight but couldn't score."

Junior setter Norma Cortez had 55 assists and seven digs, as she played the entire match for the first time all season. Sophomore outside hitter Dani Nyenhuis recorded 16 kills and eight digs, while junior middle hitter Katie Wright had ten kills and a team-high five blocks.

"The level of play tonight, I think will help keep us sharp enough and I am excited about that, going into the second half of play in the ACC," said Sagula.

Other key contributors for the Tar Heels included senior middle hitter Aletha Green, sophomore outside hitter Camilla Ihenetu and freshman outside hitter Meg Eckert. Green had eight kills and two block solos, Ihenetu had nine kills and three digs, while Eckert had seven kills and ten digs.

UNC next will go on the road for back-to-back games at Georgia Tech and Clemson. The Georgia Tech game is Friday, Oct. 24 at 7 p.m., while the game at Clemson is at 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 25.