Carolina Travels to Colorado for Buffs Invite

CHAPEL HILL – Wrapping up tournament play, North Carolina travels to Boulder, Colorado for the Buffs Invite to face three Power Five programs in Oklahoma, Georgia and host No. 24 Colorado Friday through Sunday at the CU Events Center.

Most recently, the Tar Heels went 2-1 in their home tournament, topping UNCG in the season opener and Maryland Eastern Shore on Saturday, before falling to Michigan State in four sets in the weekend finale.

North Carolina opens the Buffs Invite against Oklahoma Friday at 5 p.m. ET. Saturday, the Tar Heels will take on host, No. 24 Colorado at 2 p.m. ET before wrapping up Sunday at 1 p.m. vs. Georgia. Fans can follow live stats at CUBuffs.com and watch Saturday's match on the Colorado Live Stream.

About the Tar Heels (2-3)

After finishing second at the Carolina Classic with a 2-1 record, libero Mia Fradenburg and setter Hunter Atherton were named to the All-Tournament team. Fradenburg averaged 3.90 digs/set while Atherton averaged 8.78 assists/set. Skylar Wine led Carolina's offense throughout the weekend, hitting over .600 against UNCG and Maryland Eastern Shore with 38 total kills on the weekend.
Despite an 0-2 outcome in Minneapolis, the Tar Heels were much improved against No. 4 Minnesota with limited errors and solid defense in the back row, in addition to 20 total blocks. Carolina's third set, 30-28 victory against Minnesota is the only set loss the Gophers have suffered this season.
In his 38th season, Joe Sagula is four wins away from 800 career wins with a record of 796-449. Sagula owns a 593-326 record in 28 completed seasons - seven away from 600. Sagula is the sixth winningest active Division I coach (11th in all divisions) and is the16th winningest coach of all-time by victories.

About the Oklahoma Sooners (4-2)
Continuing their road trip, the Sooners remain on the road for the third consecutive week to begin the season. Oklahoma swept the Northern Illinois Invite before a 1-2 performance at Seton Hall last weekend. The Sooners are led by Alyssa Enneking with 100 kills to-date this season.

Began the season 3-0 at Northern Illinois before going 1-2 at Seton Hall with losses to No. 14 Pittsburgh and VCU.
Runs a 5-1 with setter Kylee McLaughlin (11.5 A/S)
Offense is led by Alyssa Enneking (4.76 K/S), average more than 2.00 K/S over her teammates
Picked eighth of nine in Big 12 preseason poll
Head coach Lindsey Grey-Walton is in her first season after spending the past eigth seasons as Kentucky's assistant coach and recruiting coordinator. At the 2017 AVCA convention, Grey-Walton was named the AVCA National Assistant Coach of the Year. Gray-Walton was recognized by the AVCA in 2012 as one of the "Top 30 Coaches Under 30."
Finished 2017 with a 7-22 overall record, 4-12 in conference

About the No. 24 Colorado Buffs (3-2)
Hosting its first matches of the season, No. 24 Colorado begins their 2018 home slate after trips to Wyoming and Washington. The Buffs went 1-1 at the PAC 12/Big Ten Challenge with a 3-1 win over Iowa and a loss to No. 11 Illinois. The team is led by Alexa Smith and Justine Spann with 71 and 64 kills, respectively.

Fell from No. 21 to No. 24 after going 1-1 at the PAC 12/Big Ten Challenge with a three-set loss to 11th-ranked Illinois
Leading the team in kills, Alexa Smith and Justine Spann were both named to the All-Tournament team after Smith had a season-high 23 kills against Iowa and Spann had a career-high 25 digs in the same match
Primarily runs a 5-1 with Brynna Deluzio (7.21 A/S)
Picked fifth in the PAC 12 Preseason Poll
Finished 2017 with a 24-10 overall record, 12-8 in conference

About the Georgia Bulldogs (6-0)
Traveling west for the second consecutive weekend, the undefeated Georgia Bulldogs travel to Colorado after sweeping the UCI/Adidas Invitational in Irvine, California. Georgia began the season at home and returns on Sep. 21 vs. LSU. Sophomore outside hitter T'ara Ceasar leads the Bulldogs' offense with 94 kills.

6-0, undefeated on the season. Did not drop a set at the UCI/Adidas Invitational.
Receiving 11 votes in the AVCA Poll
Runs a 5-1 with setter Meghan Donavan (11.19 A/S)
Picked fourth in the SEC preseason poll
Outside hitter T'ara Ceasar was named to the preseason All-SEC team
Finished 2017 with a 22-12 overall record, 10-8 in conference

Carolina returns home to host North Dakota State its final nonconference home match Friday, Sept. 14 at 6:30 p.m.

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Players Mentioned

Hunter Atherton

Mia Fradenburg

Skylar Wine