NCAA Volleyball Countdown: #19 UNC
NCAA Volleyball Countdown: #19 UNC
The UNC women's volleyball team snagged the No. 19 ranking in our NCAA Countdown. Find out why.
Check out the FloVolleyball NCAA Countdown, where we rank the top 20 collegiate women's volleyball teams in the country leading up to opening day on August 26. The No. 19 spot goes to North Carolina this year, and here's why:
The Tar Heels lose big blockers in the middle, but bring in one of the nation's top recruiting classes.
The Players
Taylor Treacy | 6-2 | Senior | Opposite
2.32 kills/set (.320); 0.98 blocks/set; 2015 All-ACC
Abigail Curry | 5-10 | Senior | Setter
7.23 assists/set
Taylor Leath | 6-3 | Sophomore | Outside Hitter
2.22 kills/set (.168); 0.45 blocks/set
PROMISING NEWCOMERS
Julia Scoles | 6-1 | Freshman | Outside Hitter
First Team Under Armour High School All-American
Holly Carlton | 6-7 | Freshman | Opposite
Katharine Esterley | 6-4 | Freshman | Middle Blocker
Paige Neuenfeldt | 6-2 | Middle Blocker
2.49 kills/set (.300); 1.47 blocks/set (#14 in nation); Third Team All-American
Victoria McPherson | 6-2 | Middle Blocker
2.32 kills/set (.360); 1.27 blocks/set (#40 in nation); Honorable Mention All-American
Leigh Andrew | 6-1 | Outside Hitter
2.45 kills/set (.168); 0.45 blocks/set
Non-Conference Matches to Watch
August 27 @ Penn State
September 9 vs. Wisconsin
September 10 vs. Minnesota
The Tar Heels have been very good for quite some time. Since 2010, UNC is 96-22 (.814) in the ACC, averaging 16 conference wins over the past four seasons. Last season, coach Joe Sagula (27th season @ UNC; 35th overall) put together a 3-0 non-conference sweep of Stanford, and a 12-0 run toward the end of the season. Two starting middles and a starting outside from that team have now graduated, which puts pressure on senior opposite Taylor Treacy and sophomore outside hitter Taylor Leath to provide some firepower. Help should eventually come from one of the nation's top recruiting classes, led by big-time outside hitter Julia Scoles.
North Carolina will battle Louisville and Florida State for the ACC title. Non-conference matches against Minnesota and Wisconsin should help gauge whether the ACC can make more noise in the postseason.
Previously:
20. Louisville
Additional research and reporting contributed by Leslie Hamann.
The Upshot
The Tar Heels lose big blockers in the middle, but bring in one of the nation's top recruiting classes.
Last Season
- 21-10 overall, 17-3 in ACC (2nd place)
- 1-1 in NCAA Tournament (lost 3-1 at home to Creighton)
- No. 27 in final 2015 RPI
- Team hitting percentage: .235 (#76 in nation)
- Opponents' hitting percentage: .176 (#43 in nation)
- Team blocks per set: 2.39 (#54 in nation)
The Players
RETURNING STARS
Taylor Treacy | 6-2 | Senior | Opposite
2.32 kills/set (.320); 0.98 blocks/set; 2015 All-ACC
Abigail Curry | 5-10 | Senior | Setter
7.23 assists/set
Taylor Leath | 6-3 | Sophomore | Outside Hitter
2.22 kills/set (.168); 0.45 blocks/set
PROMISING NEWCOMERS
Julia Scoles | 6-1 | Freshman | Outside Hitter
First Team Under Armour High School All-American
Holly Carlton | 6-7 | Freshman | Opposite
Katharine Esterley | 6-4 | Freshman | Middle Blocker
BIGGEST LOSSES
Paige Neuenfeldt | 6-2 | Middle Blocker
2.49 kills/set (.300); 1.47 blocks/set (#14 in nation); Third Team All-American
Victoria McPherson | 6-2 | Middle Blocker
2.32 kills/set (.360); 1.27 blocks/set (#40 in nation); Honorable Mention All-American
Leigh Andrew | 6-1 | Outside Hitter
2.45 kills/set (.168); 0.45 blocks/set
Non-Conference Matches to Watch
August 27 @ Penn State
September 9 vs. Wisconsin
September 10 vs. Minnesota
Outlook
The Tar Heels have been very good for quite some time. Since 2010, UNC is 96-22 (.814) in the ACC, averaging 16 conference wins over the past four seasons. Last season, coach Joe Sagula (27th season @ UNC; 35th overall) put together a 3-0 non-conference sweep of Stanford, and a 12-0 run toward the end of the season. Two starting middles and a starting outside from that team have now graduated, which puts pressure on senior opposite Taylor Treacy and sophomore outside hitter Taylor Leath to provide some firepower. Help should eventually come from one of the nation's top recruiting classes, led by big-time outside hitter Julia Scoles.
Prediction
North Carolina will battle Louisville and Florida State for the ACC title. Non-conference matches against Minnesota and Wisconsin should help gauge whether the ACC can make more noise in the postseason.
Previously:
20. Louisville
Additional research and reporting contributed by Leslie Hamann.
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