The UNC volleyball team placed three athletes on the ACC’s preseason All-Conference team, and the Tar Heels were picked to finish sixth in a once again strong league.

Reigning ACC Freshman of the Year Mabrey Shaffmaster, 2021 All-ACC second team selection Kaya Merkler and Notre Dame transfer Charley Niego were the three Tar Heels honored.

Shaffmaster burst onto the scene in 2021, playing in all 30 of the team’s matches and hitting 389 kills. That number was the highest of any ACC freshman and the sixth-highest of any player of any class in the league. Like Merkler, Shaffmaster was also named second team All-ACC.

Merkler, a junior, has led Carolina in hitting percentage in each of the last two seasons. The Chapel Hill High alumna also led the team in blocks last season with 97. Niego was a four-time All-ACC selection with the Fighting Irish, leading the team in kills as a freshman, sophomore and junior.

Reigning ACC champions Louisville were picked to win the league once again in 2022 (there is no ACC Tournament in volleyball). The Cardinals received 10 first place votes, while second-place Pittsburgh received five. Both teams reached the Final Four last season.

Georgia Tech, Miami and Florida State followed up the top two, with Carolina in sixth. For a full look at the preseason poll, click here.

The Tar Heels will open the 2022 regular season Friday night on the road, when they face Colorado State. UNC beat the Rams in a five-set thriller in Chapel Hill last season.

 

Featured image via UNC Athletic Communications/Jerome M. Ibrahim

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