June 25, 2001

The North Carolina volleyball team has been predicted to finish second in the upcoming ACC season, as determined by a preseason poll of the league's nine head coaches. The Tar Heels, coached by Joe Sagula, collected 67 votes out of a possible 81. Georgia Tech was tabbed the pre-season favorite with 80 votes.

The Tar Heels return five starters from last season's ACC Championship squad, including All-ACC Second Team selection junior outside hitter Laura Greene, and All-ACC Freshman Team member sophomore outside hitter Nicole Reis. Also returning are senior middle hitter Krista Bucholz who led the ACC in blocks with 1.27 per game, junior setter Eve Rackham who led the league in assists with 13.29 per game and sophomore outside hitter Holly Strauss who was ninth in the ACC in hitting percentage at .296.

The Tar Heels enter the 2001 season having won two consecutive ACC Championships and advancing to the NCAA Tournament three years in a row.

The Duke Blue Devils finished third in the preseason voting with 54 votes, while Wake Forest and Florida State tied for the fourth-place spot with 51 votes. Rounding out the poll in order of finish are Virginia, Clemson, Maryland and NC State.

2001 PreSeason ACC Volleyball Poll

School Points 2000 Record/Finish

1. Georgia Tech 80 25-8, 13-3 ACC/T1st

2. North Carolina 67 26-8, 13-3 ACC/T1st

3. Duke 54 21-13, 8-8 ACC/T5th

4. Florida State 51 21-11, 9-7 ACC/4th

Wake Forest 51 21-9, 10-6 ACC/3rd

6. Virginia 37 16-15, 8-8 ACC/T5th

7. Clemson 31 13-18, 6-10 ACC/7th

8. Maryland 21 14-16, 4-12 ACC/8th

9. NC State 13 9-22, 1-15 ACC/9th