GREENSBORO, N.C. (theACC.com) – Louisville has been selected as the preseason favorite to win the 2022 ACC Volleyball Championship following a vote of the league’s head coaches. The Cardinals received 10 first-place votes, while Pitt earned five.
Louisville, who won the ACC last season with a perfect 18-0 record, returns all but two starters to its lineup, including preseason All-ACC selections Claire Chaussee, Anna DeBeer, Aiko Jones, Elena Scott and Amaya Tillman. Both the Cardinals and Panthers advanced to last season’s NCAA Championship semifinals and each finished with more than 30 wins.
Pitt finished second in the voting with 185 points, followed by Georgia Tech (173), Miami (150) and Florida State (145). North Carolina earned 134 points and was picked sixth, with NC State (116), Duke (105), Notre Dame (87) and Clemson (72) rounding out the top 10. The Tigers were followed by Wake Forest (63 points), Virginia Tech (48), Boston College (39), Virginia (36) and Syracuse (31).
Louisville’s five preseason All-ACC selections led the conference, while Georgia Tech, North Carolina and Pitt had three each. Miami had two players on the preseason team and Florida State and Syracuse had one each.
Three ACC teams are ranked in the preseason American Volleyball Coaches Association Top 25 Poll – No. 4 Louisville, No. 6 Pitt and No. 9 Georgia Tech. Miami, North Carolina and Florida State also received votes. Georgia Tech’s No. 9 ranking is the highest preseason ranking in program history.
The ACC is poised for another outstanding year after posting its most successful season in 2021. The ACC had two teams in the national semifinals for the first time in league history, and its six NCAA teams tied the league record. The ACC’s three teams in the regional finals and third round, and five teams in the second round were all the most in conference history.
The regular season begins Friday, Aug. 26, with all 15 league teams in action. ACC Network is slated to air 21 conference volleyball matches with coverage beginning on Sunday, Sept. 4 with 2021 national semifinalist Louisville hosting Ohio State at 2 p.m. More than 150 ACC volleyball matches are slated for ACC Network Extra. Follow all the ACC volleyball action with updated scores, schedules at standings at theACC.com.
2022 ACC Volleyball Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Louisville, 191 points (10 first place votes)
2. Pitt, 185 points (5 first place votes)
3. Georgia Tech, 173 points
4. Miami, 150 points
5. Florida State, 145 points
6. North Carolina, 134 points
7. NC State, 116 points
8. Duke, 105 points
9. Notre Dame, 87 points
10. Clemson, 72 points
11. Wake Forest, 63 points
12. Virginia Tech, 48 points
13. Boston College, 39 points
14. Virginia, 36 points
15. Syracuse, 31 points
2022 ACC Volleyball Preseason All-ACC Team
Emma Clothier, Florida State, Sr., MB
Julia Bergmann, Georgia Tech, Sr., OH
Bianca Bertolino, Georgia Tech, So., OH
Erin Moss, Georgia Tech, Sr., MB
Claire Chaussee, Louisville, Gr., OH
Anna DeBeer, Louisville, Jr., OH
Aiko Jones, Louisville, Sr., OPP
Elena Scott, Louisville, So., L/DS
Amaya Tillman, Louisville, Sr., MB
Janice Leao, Miami, Sr., MB
Savannah Vach, Miami, Sr., S
Kaya Merkler, North Carolina, Jr., MH
Charley Niego, North Carolina, Gr., OH
Mabrey Shaffmaster, North Carolina, So., OH
Courtney Buzzerio, Pitt, Gr., RS
Rachel Fairbanks, Pitt, So., S
Serena Gray, Pitt, Gr., MB
Polina Shemanova, Syracuse, Gr., OH