Hokie ClubGREENSBORO, 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 |