July 7, 2000

GREENSBORO, N.C. - The Maryland Terrapins' volleyball team prepares for its 2000 season as head coach Janice Kruger begins her 13th year as the program's head coach. Maryland, nationally-ranked in the 1996 and 1997 seasons, hopes for a return to its success when it begins play in September. The Terps open the year at University of the Pacific's preseason tournament which features the Final Four participant Tigers, Maryland, Michigan and Sacramento State.

Defending ACC champion North Carolina has been selected as the favorite for the upcoming 2000 ACC volleyball season, as determined by a vote of the leagues nine head coaches.

The Tar Heels collected 73 votes out of a possible 81, earning them the status of pre-season favorite. North Carolina returns four starters from last year's ACC Championship season including sophomores Eve Rackham and Laura Greene, both ACC All-Freshman selections in 1999. The Tar Heels will also look to return All-ACC performers Casey Simpson and Liz Feldman.

Expected to finish second are the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets who return three starters from a year ago. Junior outside hitter Maja Pachale is the only returning all-conference performer for the Jackets and is one of six letterwinners that return for Georgia Tech in 2000.

Wake Forest is predicted to finish third after finishing the 1999 regular season in third place. The Deacons return three starters from last season's 25-9 team that posted the program's best winning percentage in the school's volleyball history.

Clemson, last year's ACC regular season champions, are picked to finish fourth and return two starters from 1999, including setter Jessi Betcher, last year's ACC Rookie of the Year.

Completing the pre-season poll in order of finish is Virginia, Duke, Florida State, Maryland and NC State. Below is a listing of the pre-season coaches' poll with 1999 records and regular season finishes.

2000 PRE-SEASON ACC VOLLEYBALL POLL
School          Points   1999 Record/ACC Finish
1. North Carolina  73    28-6, 14-2 ACC/2nd
2. Georgia Tech    65    17-14, 6-10 ACC/6th
3. Wake Forest     59    25-9, 10-6 ACC/3rd
4. Clemson         56    31-3, 15-1 ACC/1st
5. Virginia        42    19-12, 9-7 ACC/4th
6. Duke            39    13-14, 7-9/5th
7. Florida State   38     8-23, 1-15/9th
8. Maryland        21    12-19, 5-11/T7th
9. NC State        12    16-19, 5-11/T7th