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CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – After a 2-0 homestand last weekend, the Hokies headed down to North Carolina to face the Tar Heels in their only matchup of the season. The University of North Carolina, who has received votes in the AVCA poll several times this season, was too much for the Hokies, defeating them in an uncharacteristically close 3-0 (25-22, 25-23, 25-17) sweep. The win lifts the Tar Heels to 17-6 (8-2 ACC), while the Hokies drop to 13-7 (4-6 ACC).

The Hokies got off to a strong start in the first set, jumping out to a quick 7-3 lead. They extended their lead to 11-6, but the Tar Heels went on a 4-0 run, closing the gap to 11-10. The Hokies countered with the next three points, going back up 14-10, but the Tar Heels outscored the Hokies 6-2 on the next eight plays, tying the set at 16. The Tar Heels then took their biggest lead of the match thus far, going up 20-18, but the Hokies tied it at 21. A kill by Emily McGee followed by two by Courtney Johnson made it set-point, and though Jennifer Wiker put up a kill to make it 24-22, Johnson hit her fifth of the frame, winning the first set for the Tar Heels, 25-22.

The Tar Heels got on top in the second set, opening the frame, 2-0, and soon going up 7-4. After North Carolina increased its lead to 10-6, the Hokies won five points in a row to take a lead, 11-10. The Tar Heels went up 16-14, but the Hokies pushed right back ahead, 17-16, and soon the score was tied at 18. UNC jumped back up 21-18, but the Hokies tied it again at 21. Tech went out ahead, 23-22, but the Tar Heels won the final three points to win the second, even closer, set, 25-23.

North Carolina maintained a small lead throughout the third set, but the Hokies kept it close, never giving the Tar Heels too much space. However, after leading but just one, 17-16, UNC went on a huge, 8-1 run, winning the final set, 25-17, and taking the match from the Hokies, 3-0.

Justine Record led the Hokies on both sides of the ball, registering 11 kills and 11 digs for her third double-double of the season, adding a block assist, a block solo and a service ace. Jennifer Wiker followed with eight kills and three blocks, two solo, and Victoria Hamsher and Felicia Willoughby each added seven kills. Willoughby and Erin Leaser both had four block assists, and Hamsher had two block assists and a block solo. Erin Leaser also had seven digs and a service ace, and her 34 assists in the match moved her past Laura Hanner ’97 and into fourth place all-time for the Hokies in career assists, putting up 3,214 halfway into her junior year. Morgan O’Neill had a strong day on defense with 18 digs.

The Hokies return to action tomorrow night when they face NC State in Raleigh, beginning at 7 p.m.

For updates on Virginia Tech volleyball, follow the Hokies on Twitter (@VT_VBall).