Oct. 22, 2003

Chapel Hill, N.C. - The North Carolina volleyball program broke a NCAA record for single match volleyball attendance on Oct. 17, however, the record will be included only under the category of "a match held in conjunction with a special promotion of another event," said the American Volleyball Coaches Association in a statement released Wednesday.

The volleyball match between Duke and UNC drew 16,126 fans, as Carolina beat Duke 3-2, in a thrilling five-game match at the Smith Center. Following the match, "Late Night With Roy Williams" was held to kick off the first day of practice for the men's basketball team.

The official record is still the 13,194 fans that watched Long Beach State play Penn State on Dec. 19, 1998, in the NCAA Finals.

"I was happy to expose and introduce such an exciting sport to so many Tar Heel fans," said Carolina head coach Joe Sagula. "It was a great opportunity to play in front of a huge crowd. Then to have a comeback win against our rival, was just outstanding."

The volleyball attendance record for "a match held in conjunction with a special promotion of another event" has connection to current UNC Men's Basketball Coach Roy Williams. The previous record was 14,800 fans at the University of Kansas, as they hosted Missouri on Oct. 18, 1996 before Midnight Madness basketball festivities. Williams coached the Kansas men's basketball team, at the time.