University of North Carolina Athletics
Hampton, Thorpe Named To Preseason All-ACC Team, Volleyball Tabbed Fifth
July 30, 2026 | Volleyball
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Carolina volleyball was picked to finish fifth in the Preseason ACC Coaches Poll and Chelsea Thorpe and Safi Hampton were named to the Preseason All-ACC Team.
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Thorpe returns for her final season after a career year last year with 318 kills and 90 blocks. Hampton returns after leading the Tar Heels with 399 kills last season. She also led the team in points (440.5), points per set (3.86), and kills per set (3.50).
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Two selections are the most the Tar Heels have landed on the Preseason All-ACC Team since three were named to it in 2022.
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Carolina is looking to build off back-to-back round of 32 appearances in the NCAA Tournament. They will look to win an NCAA Tournament match in three consecutive seasons for the first time since 2014-16.
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UNC was picked fifth for the second consecutive season, both marking the highest projected finish since 2019 when the Tar Heels were also tabbed fifth.
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The Tar Heels open the season at Davidson on Aug. 29 before the home opener on Aug. 30 against UNCW.
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The full ACC Preseason Poll and All-ACC Team can be found below.
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2026 ACC Volleyball Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Stanford, 280 | 10 First-Place Votes
2. Pittsburgh, 277 | 7 First-Place Votes
3. Louisville, 257 | 1 First-Place Vote
4. SMU, 245
5. North Carolina, 225
6. Georgia Tech, 198
7. Miami, 193
8. Florida State, 180
9. NC State, 148
10. Wake Forest, 131
11. Virginia, 119
12. Notre Dame, 104
13. California, 93
14. Clemson, 89
15. Boston College, 87
16. Duke, 70
17. Syracuse, 37
18. Virginia Tech, 21
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2026 Preseason All-ACC Volleyball Team
Kyleene Filimaua, Florida State
Nayelis Cabello, Louisville
Kalyssa Blackshear, Louisville
Chloe Chicoine, Louisville
Payton Petersen, Louisville
Ariana Rodriguez, Miami
Safi Hampton, North Carolina
Chelsea Thorpe, North Carolina
Blaire Bayless, Pitt
Olivia Babcock, Pitt
Izzy Starck, Pitt
Favor Anyanwu, SMU
Suli Davis, SMU
Lizzy Andrew, Stanford
Julia Blyashov, Stanford
Spencer Etzler, Stanford
Jordyn Harvey, Stanford
Logan Parks, Stanford
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Thorpe returns for her final season after a career year last year with 318 kills and 90 blocks. Hampton returns after leading the Tar Heels with 399 kills last season. She also led the team in points (440.5), points per set (3.86), and kills per set (3.50).
Â
Two selections are the most the Tar Heels have landed on the Preseason All-ACC Team since three were named to it in 2022.
Â
Carolina is looking to build off back-to-back round of 32 appearances in the NCAA Tournament. They will look to win an NCAA Tournament match in three consecutive seasons for the first time since 2014-16.
Â
UNC was picked fifth for the second consecutive season, both marking the highest projected finish since 2019 when the Tar Heels were also tabbed fifth.
Â
The Tar Heels open the season at Davidson on Aug. 29 before the home opener on Aug. 30 against UNCW.
Â
The full ACC Preseason Poll and All-ACC Team can be found below.
Â
2026 ACC Volleyball Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Stanford, 280 | 10 First-Place Votes
2. Pittsburgh, 277 | 7 First-Place Votes
3. Louisville, 257 | 1 First-Place Vote
4. SMU, 245
5. North Carolina, 225
6. Georgia Tech, 198
7. Miami, 193
8. Florida State, 180
9. NC State, 148
10. Wake Forest, 131
11. Virginia, 119
12. Notre Dame, 104
13. California, 93
14. Clemson, 89
15. Boston College, 87
16. Duke, 70
17. Syracuse, 37
18. Virginia Tech, 21
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2026 Preseason All-ACC Volleyball Team
Kyleene Filimaua, Florida State
Nayelis Cabello, Louisville
Kalyssa Blackshear, Louisville
Chloe Chicoine, Louisville
Payton Petersen, Louisville
Ariana Rodriguez, Miami
Safi Hampton, North Carolina
Chelsea Thorpe, North Carolina
Blaire Bayless, Pitt
Olivia Babcock, Pitt
Izzy Starck, Pitt
Favor Anyanwu, SMU
Suli Davis, SMU
Lizzy Andrew, Stanford
Julia Blyashov, Stanford
Spencer Etzler, Stanford
Jordyn Harvey, Stanford
Logan Parks, Stanford
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Players Mentioned
OH
/ Volleyball
OH/OPP
/ VolleyballThursday, July 30
Thursday, July 30
Tuesday, July 28
Saturday, July 18