VCU Invitational
Score: North Carolina 3, VCU 0 (25-17, 25-18, 25-23)
Location: Richmond, Va. (Siegel Center)
Records: VCU 4-6, North Carolina 7-3
 
The short story: Sophomore outside hitter Parker Hartzell hit .368 with eight kills, but VCU dropped a three-set decision to North Carolina Friday night at the Siegel Center.
 
OPENING VOLLEY

• Hartzell's eight kills came on the strength of 19 swings. She committed just one hitting error, and the Alexandria, Va. native added a pair of blocks
• Senior outside hitter Qairo Bentley supplied a team-high nine kills for the Black and Gold, as well as nine digs
• Junior middle blocker Jasmine Knight added seven kills and two blocks for the Rams, while sophomore libero Crew Hoffmeier provided 16 digs and a service ace
• UNC's Kaya Merkler led all players with 12 kills 

THE DIFFERENCE

• North Carolina held VCU to a .149 hitting percentage in the match. The Rams failed to hit over .200 in any of Friday's three sets
• The Tar Heels served up nine aces in the match, including six by Austin Parker
• VCU appeared poised to fight its way back into the match when a service ace by junior outside hitter Ana Brangioni pulled the Rams within 12-11 in the second set with a kill. But UNC shifted into another gear. North Carolina, led in part by Parker's work at the service line, embarked on a 10-2 run. Charley Niego supplied a pair of kills and a block to help spark UNC's set-changing blitz
• The Rams tied the third frame at 23-23 on a right-handed smash by Hartzell, but a pair of late miscues helped the Tar Heels clinch the set and the match

NEXT UP
VCU will cap non-conference play with a pair of matches on Saturday, first with UMBC at 10 a.m. at the Siegel Center, followed by a nightcap against Old Dominion at 6 p.m. Both matches will be streamed live on ESPN+.