The UNC volleyball team was swept for the second time in three matches Friday night, as the visiting Notre Dame Fighting Irish left Carmichael Arena with a win.

All three sets were tight affairs, with both teams scoring at least 20 points each time. But Carolina couldn’t quite get over the hump against the Irish, with each rally stymied by the visitors. The first frame saw UNC close to within 20-18, but then alternate points with Notre Dame until the Irish put the set away 25-22.

Carolina held a 13-10 lead in the second set, before the Irish rattled off a 7-2 run to take a slim lead. Once again, UNC was able to close the gap to 20-19, but a clutch 5-1 Notre Dame run put the second set to bed with a 25-20 score.

The third set was almost a mirror image of the second, with the Tar Heels once again closing to 20-19 before a 5-2 Notre Dame run ended the match. It was about as competitive a sweep as there can be, though that’s little comfort for head coach Joe Sagula and Carolina.

Nia Parker-Robinson led UNC with 11 kills, though no other Tar Heel was in double digits. The road doesn’t get any easier for Carolina, as No. 2 Louisville visits on Sunday afternoon. The Cardinals are 22-0 this season, and will be the third ranked opponent UNC has faced. The Tar Heels dropped earlier matches to No. 3 Pitt and No. 14 Georgia Tech.

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