University of North Carolina Athletics
October 22, 2014 | Women's Basketball
Additionally, Carolina was predicted to finish fourth in the Atlantic Coast Conference according to the Blue Ribbon Panel.
Junior forward Xylina McDaniel, sophomore guard Allisha Gray and sophomore forward Stephanie Mavunga were all voted as three of the top players in the ACC heading into the 2014-15 season.
League favorite Notre Dame was the only other team to land multiple players on the 10-player preseason list. Among the Fighting Irish honorees was Preseason ACC Player of the Year Jewell Loyd.
McDaniel finds herself on the preseason All-ACC team for the second-straight season. The Columbia, S.C., native averaged 11.3 points and 5.8 rebounds per game during the 2013-14 season.
Gray, a Full Court second team Freshman All-America last season, returns for her second campaign in Chapel Hill as the clubs top returning scorer at 13.9 points per game. The Sandersville, Ga., native shot 41.9 percent from distance in 2013-14, the second best figure in UNC program history.
Gray was an All-ACC Freshman Team selection last year.
Mavunga also earned Freshman All-America honors last season by Full Court as an honorable mention pick. The native of Brownsburg, Ind., led the Tar Heels with 8.2 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game, while also contributing 10.7 points per game in 2013-14.
Notre Dame received 38 first place votes to emerge as the favorite, followed by Duke (one first-place vote), ACC newcomer Louisville (two first-place votes), North Carolina and Florida State to round out the top five.
In order, teams six through 10 include, Syracuse, Georgia Tech, Miami, NC State and Virginia.
The final five are Wake Forest, Virginia Tech, Boston College, Clemson and Pitt.
Blue Ribbon Panel ACC Preseason Poll
1. Notre Dame (835 points, 38 first place votes)
2. Duke (733, 1 first place vote)
3. Louisville (724, 2 first place votes)
4. North Carolina (707)
5. Florida State (545)
6. Syracuse (536)
7. Georgia Tech (508)
8. Miami (421)
9. NC State (407)
10. Virginia (334)
11. Wake Forest (295)
12. Virginia Tech (184)
13. Boston College (178)
14. Clemson (169)
15. Pittsburgh (144)
Blue Ribbon Panel Preseason All-ACC Team
Elizabeth Williams, Sr., C/F, Duke
Kaela Davis, So., G, Georgia Tech
Sara Hammond, Sr., F, Louisville
Allisha Gray, So., G, North Carolina
Stephanie Mavunga, So, F, North Carolina
Xylina McDaniel, Jr., F, North Carolina
Lindsay Allen, So., G, Notre Dame
Jewell Loyd, Jr., G, Notre Dame
Brittney Sykes, Jr., G, Syracuse
Dearica Hamby, Sr., F, Wake Forest
Blue Ribbon Panel Preseason ACC Player of the Year
Jewell Loyd, Jr., G, Notre Dame
Blue Ribbon Panel ACC Newcomer Watch List
Sierra Calhoun, Fr., G/F, Duke
Rebecca Greenwell, R-Fr., G, Duke
Shakayla Thomas, Fr., F, Florida State
Mariya Moore, Fr., G, Louisville
Brianna Turner, Fr., G, Notre Dame
