If it can be said the North Carolina volleyball team has an arch nemesis, Georgia Tech is probably it.
"You butt heads with Georgia Tech," said senior Molly Pyles. "That's just always the team that you go after."
The Yellow Jackets, who are in first place in the ACC and have an undefeated conference record, have ousted the Tar Heels in six of the last 10 meetings.
And after falling to Miami and Florida State last weekend, the Tar Heels (11-10, 6-3 in the ACC) enter their weekend matches against Clemson and Georgia Tech with their season potentially on the line.
"(It's) understanding that you're in a three-game slump," Pyles said. "Understanding what it takes to get out of it and understanding that ACCs is on this weekend. (The NCAA Tournament) is going to be on this weekend.
"There are so many things that make this weekend so very crucial."
North Carolina looks to avenge Saturday its 3-0 road loss to the Yellow Jackets earlier this season by altering its offensive style.
"We want to be more successful on offense with our choices and do some different things with the outside hitters," said UNC coach Joe Sagula. "They're going to try a little faster tempo."
With the loss of Meg Eckert, who sprained her ankle against Florida State and will miss at least the next two weeks, Pyles and fellow outside hitter Dani Nyenhuis will be required to shoulder more weight than usual.