Currently riding an eight-match win streak that includes an ACC Tournament Championship, the UNC volleyball team is ready to begin its hunt for the program’s first national title.

Having earned the No. 7 overall seed–and the right to host its first two matches at Carmichael Arena–the Tar Heels (27-3) open up play on Friday night with a date against High Point.

Ranked fourth in the four-team region, the Panthers (23-9) earned a place in the tournament by virtue of winning the Big South Conference Tournament.

High Point has never won a postseason volleyball match before, as it will arrive in Chapel Hill as huge underdogs against arguably the most talented team UNC head coach Joe Sagula has ever put together.

Led by ACC Player of the Year Taylor Leath and ACC Freshman of the Year Julia Scoles, this group of Tar Heels is determined to go further in the NCAA Tournament than ever before.

UNC has dropped just one set over its last four matches, showing that the team is peaking at the right time. Whether that high level of play continues will determine the Tar Heels’ potential for success as the tournament goes on.

The opening-round match against High Point is set for 6:30 p.m. on Friday. It will be streamed live on ESPN3.