CHAPEL HILL– Following a scrappy 3-2 win over Maryland on Sunday, the Tar Heel volleyball team improved to 26-3 overall and 15-3 in conference play.

This season marks the first time Carolina has reached 26 wins in the regular season since 2002.

Head Coach Joe Sagula says he was proud of his players for staying aggressive and going for their shots in the tight moments against Maryland.

***Listen to the interview***

Coach Joe Sagula 11-25

“I thought we stayed aggressive during that entire time. I kept telling them we wanted them to go after it and to attack as much as we could. You’re not going to win a close match just sitting back and waiting for a team to make an error,” Coach Sagula says. 

Coach Sagula says the key to Carolina’s success on the court this season comes from the balance. The Tar Heels don’t rely on just one player for production.

“I think what’s really made us a good team this year is balance – balanced in terms of on the court and our success. We don’t rely on one player alone to carry us. We need a number of people to be good,” Coach Sagula says.

Sunday’s win marked the 700th career win for Coach Sagula. He says he couldn’t have reached the milestone without great support from the UNC administration and all his outstanding players throughout his 24 years at Carolina.

“Coaches don’t get milestones without all the support of people around them, from the administration here at Carolina to the players who get it done on the court. You have to have great players to win a lot matches. I’ve been very fortunate. We’ve recruited some great kids,” Coach Sagula says.

The Tar Heels close out their regular season with two away matches against Wake Forest on Wednesday and Duke on Friday. Postseason play awaits Coach Sagula’s squad soon after.