August 26, 2014
Caine named to Preseason All-ACC Volleyball Team
Hokies tabbed to finish 10th in league

GREENSBORO, N.C. – Senior Kathryn Caine was selected to the 2014 Preseason All-ACC Volleyball Team while the Hokies were tabbed to finish 10th in the conference as voted on by the league’s coaches and announced on Tuesday by the conference office.

The Hokies finished last season with a 22-12 mark while going 10-10 in conference play to mark one of the team's best finishes since joining the conference in 2004. Tech returns five starters, including Caine who earned All-ACC Third Team honors a year ago and ACC All-Freshman Team honoree Lindsey Owens. In addition, the Hokies return starting setter Jordan Fish, starting libero Megan Beckwith, middle blocker LaTasha Samson-Akpan and outside hitter Amanda McKinzie. Tech graduated First Team All-ACC honoree Victoria Hamsher as well as outside hitter Samantha Gostling in the offseason while adding five newcomers for 2014.

In addition to earning All-ACC honors last season, Caine was named to the AVCA All-East Region team and was tabbed to the AVCA All-America Honorable Mention list after knocking down 2.47 kps while hitting .339 on the attack. The McLean, Va. native also garnered accolades off the court, being named to the ACC All-Academic team.

The Hokies claimed a 3-1 win last season over Florida State who was picked to win the league this year, edging defending ACC Champion Duke in the votes, 187-181. North Carolina (180) was selected third, while Miami (151) and Louisville (123) rounded out the top five. Virginia’s 113 points placed it ahead of NC State (106), Syracuse (105), Pittsburgh (103) and Virginia Tech (93). Notre Dame (85), Clemson (53), Georgia Tech (40), Wake Forest (39) and Boston College (16) completed the poll.

The 2014 season gets underway on Friday, Aug. 29 with 14 of the conference’s teams in action. Virginia Tech opens the season Friday, traveling to Lexington, Ky. for the Bluegrass Battle hosted by the University of Kentucky. Tech faces Butler at 4 p.m. during the first day of action.

2014 ACC Volleyball Predicted Order of Finish

No. Team (First Place) Points 2013 Record (Conference)
1 Florida State (7) 187 26-7 (17-3)
2 Duke (4) 181 28-5 (18-2)
3 North Carolina (4) 180 27-5 (16-4)
4 Miami 151 19-12 (12-8)
5 Louisville 123 23-8 (18-0)
6 Virginia 113 18-14 (11-9)
7 NC State 106 20-12 (11-9)
8 Syracuse 105 16-16 (11-9)
9 Pittsburgh 103 19-14 (11-9)
10 Virginia Tech 93 22-12 (10-10)
11 Notre Dame 85 13-18 (7-13)
12 Clemson 53 15-16 (9-11)
13 Georgia Tech 40 12-20 (6-14)
14 Wake Forest 39 16-16 (5-15)
15 Boston College 16 9-23 (1-19)

2014 Preseason All-ACC Team

Name Class Position School
Emily Sklar Junior Outside Hitter Duke
Jeme Obeime Senior Outside Hitter Duke
Maggie Deichmeister Senior Setter Duke
Nicole Walch Junior Outside Hitter Florida State
Katie Mosher Senior Libero Florida State
Sarah Burrington Sophomore Middle Blocker Florida State
Katie George Junior Setter Louisville
Janelle Jenkins Sophomore Outside Hitter Louisville
Savanah Leaf Senior Outside Hitter Miami
Emani Sims Senior Middle Blocker Miami
Paige Neuenfeldt Junior Middle Blocker North Carolina
Chaniel Nelson Senior Opposite Hitter North Carolina
Jeni Houser Senior Middle Blocker Notre Dame
Dariyan Hopper Senior Outside Hitter NC State
Jessica Wynn Senior Outside Hitter Pittsburgh
Silvi Uattara Junior Outside Hitter Syracuse
Lauren Fuller Junior Setter Virginia
Jasmine Burton Sophomore Outside Hitter Virginia
Kathryn Caine Senior Middle Blocker Virginia Tech

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