The UNC volleyball team took some unfortunate news amid a successful season Wednesday. The program announced on Twitter that graduate right side hitter Emily Zinger will miss the remainder of the season with a torn ACL.

The Tar Heels are currently 17-4 overall and 6-4 in the ACC, with eight more regular season matches before the start of postseason play.

Zinger’s strong performances this year were key in the volleyball program’s resurgence. After missing the NCAA tournament for four straight seasons, Carolina appears primed to make it back into the field after starting the season 11-0. The Tar Heels are currently on a six-match winning streak, and are ranked No. 19 by the NCAA’s RPI system.

Zinger, a graduate transfer from the University of San Francisco, appeared in all 72 sets played by the Tar Heels this season, and started 19 of 21 matches. She ranks fourth on the team with 144 kills, and second on the team with 53 blocks. Zinger recorded a block in all but one match for Carolina, including a season-high nine against SMU in August.

“Very grateful for this team, and the forever memories we’ve created,” Zinger said on Instagram.

Teammates took to Twitter to voice their support for Zinger. Meghan Neelon, herself a graduate transfer, called Ziner “a truly amazing person and a baller,” while adding, “This season’s for YOU Zing.”

“I’m so grateful for you, Zing,” Annabelle Archer said. “Your personality is infectious and your life outlook is inspiring.”

The Tar Heels will next take to the court Friday night when they visit No. 14 Georgia Tech.

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