Nov. 9, 2002

Box Score

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C.-The No. 12 Tar Heels lowered their magic number to one match to clinch the top seed in the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament with a 3-1 defeat of Wake Forest Saturday night. The 30-28, 30-21, 27-30, 30-25 win improves the Tar Heels' record to 25-2 overall and 12-1 in the ACC, while Wake Forest falls to 13-15 (6-8).

Sophomore outside hitter Molly Pyles led the way for the Tar Heels with 23 kills while hitting .300 on the night. She also added 11 digs to the team's defensive effort.

Senior outside hitter Laura Greene recorded a double-double for the fifth straight match with a 15 kills and 16 digs. She has recorded double-doubles in 18 of the team's 27 matches (67 percent) this season.

Spreading the ball around for the Tar Heels was senior setter Eve Rackham, recording 58 assists on the night. In addition to often connecting with Greene and Pyles, she found middle hitters Holly Strauss (11 kills) and Aletha Green (13 kills) often as well.

Adding to the Tar Heels' defensive effort were sophomore defensive specialist Caroline deRoeck with 13 digs and senior outside hitter Malaika Underwood with 12.

The Tar Heels look to clinch the top spot in the ACC Volleyball Tournament this Tuesday, hosting Virginia at 7 p.m. in Carmichael Auditorium.