UF VB: Gators to Face North Carolina in ESPN’s “Showdown at the Net”

Florida takes on the Tar Heels in Chapel Hill, N.C. on Tuesday, Sept. 9 in ESPN’s SEC vs. ACC Challenge.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The Florida volleyball team is slated to compete against North Carolina on Tuesday, Sept. 9 in ESPN’s SEC vs. ACC “Showdown at the Net” Challenge. The matchup will take place at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, N.C. and will be streamed on ACCN, with match time being announced at a later date.

“We are excited to have the Southeastern Conference participate in the first edition of ‘Showdown at the Net’,” said Misty Brown, SEC Assistant Commissioner. “We look forward to seeing some high-caliber volleyball as the storied programs from the SEC prepare to build upon their recent successes during the 2025 season.”

The Gators hold an 12-1 overall record against the Tar Heels, last meeting in Bayamón, Puerto Rico for the 2017 SEC vs. ACC Challenge where Florida’s defense held then No. 16 North Carolina to a .109 hitting percentage en route to 25-17, 25-17, 25-23 sweep.

The two-day tournament will begin on Tuesday, September 9 with four linear matchups and four more on digital platforms: Stanford at Missouri (ESPN), Texas A&M at SMU (ESPN2), Georgia Tech at Tennessee (SECN), Florida at North Carolina (ACCN), Georgia at Clemson (ACCNX), Virginia at Auburn (SECN+), LSU at Notre Dame (ACCNX) and Boston College at Arkansas (SECN+).

The cross-conference challenge continues on Wednesday, September 10 with eight additional matches, including the inaugural Shriners Children’s “Showdown at the Net.” The four-team showcase will feature Kentucky vs. Pitt and Texas vs. Louisville at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas. Both matches will air on ESPN, with start times to be announced at a later date.

The matchup is Florida’s third 2025 nonconference match to be officially announced. The Gators, under the direction of first-year head coach Ryan Theis<https://floridagators.com/staff-directory/ryan-theis/3426>, are slated to compete against Stanford on Friday, Aug. 22 and Pitt on Sunday, Aug. 24 in the AVCA First Serve<https://floridagators.com/news/2025/2/24/gators-to-play-in-avca-first-serve-in-august.aspx> in Lincoln, NE.

“Showdown at the Net” Schedule
Tuesday, September 9
Boston College at Arkansas

SECN+

Virginia at Auburn

SECN+

Florida at North Carolina

ACCN

Georgia at Clemson

ACCNX

LSU at Notre Dame

ACCNX

Stanford at Missouri

ESPN