University of North Carolina Athletics
Carolina Adds Three to 2018 Roster
April 27, 2018 | Volleyball
CHAPEL HILL – North Carolina volleyball is pleased to announce the addition of Annabelle Archer, Hunter Atherton and Aristea Tontai to the 2018 squad. Archer enters as a freshman while Atherton transfers as a redshirt-sophomore from Nebraska and Tontai comes in as a sophomore from Coastal Carolina.
"I am delighted to officially announce the addition of Annabelle Archer who completes our freshmen class along with two transfer student-athletes Hunter Atherton and Aristea Tontai to our 2018 roster," head coach Joe Sagula said. "Annabelle is part of our very talented incoming freshman class which includes Destiny Cox, Lauren Harrison and mid-year enrollees Ava Bell and Hadden LaGarde. Hunter and Aristea will add the needed experience as we transition for the future of the program. I see all of them having the ability to impact our team immediately.
Â
Name: Annabelle Archer
Position: Setter
Height: 5-8
Hometown: Lucas, Texas
High School: Lovejoy
Club Team: Skyline Juniors
A 2017 Andi Collins Award Finalist and Texas Association of Volleyball Coaches (TAVC) all-state selection, Annabelle Archer led her team to three district championships and two state finals as both a 5-1 and 6-2 setter. She was named the District 15-5A Setter of the Year and an all-state, all-star and all-area first-team setter as a senior. Archer was named to the AVCA Under Armour All-America watch list and named Top-25 Texas Player in the class of 2018. On the club circuit, Archer helped the Skyline Juniors to an undefeated season in 2016 en route to a first place finish in the Open Division Lone Star Classic Qualifier. A two-time academic all-district and two-time academic all-state selection, Archer is a 2017 AP scholar with distinction and a member of National Honor Society. Archer also competed in varsity track as a freshman and sophomore at Lovejoy.
"Annabelle is a part of this great incoming 2018 freshman class we have of future Tar Heels," Sagula said. "We know that she will be a contributor with both her high level setting skills and defensive play. She is quick, and has great vision for the game as one of the top high school and junior players in the country. Annabelle has led numerous teams to championships and is a proven winner on the court. She is also an outstanding student and will be a future leader for our program."
Â
Name: Hunter Atherton
Position: Setter
Height: 5-11
Hometown: Prospect, Ohio
High School: Dublin Coffman
Previous: Nebraska
Club Team: Mintonette
Hunter Atherton transfers to Carolina from 2017 National Champion, Nebraska where she played in 20 matches and had 137 set assists, 13 service aces and 46 digs. After redshirting her first season, Atherton made her collegiate debut on Aug. 25 against Oregon when she recorded 47 assists and six digs against Oregon and followed with her first-career double-double of 43 assists and 16 digs at Florida on Aug. 26. Additionally, she had a pair of service aces against Penn State in the NCAA Semifinals. Upon enrolling at Nebraska, Atherton was ranked the No. 41 prospect in 2016 by PrepVolleyball.com and the No. 8 setter. She was named an Under Armour first-team All-American and won the best setter award at the Under Armour All-America showcase. A two-time all-Ohio first-team selection, Atherton was named the Ohio Gatorade Player of the Year en route to leading Dublin Coffman to the Division I state final as a senior in 2015, averaging 9.7 assists per set with 171 digs, 146 kills and 38 aces.
"Hunter comes with a very high level volleyball IQ as an experienced setter training at the Mintonette Club in her hometown of Ohio," Sagula said, "along with her two years at Nebraska as part of a national championship team. She was the 2015 Ohio Gatorade Player of the Year, and is one of the most talented setters to join the Tar Heels. Hunter is a great competitor, and I see her as a leader for this young Tar Heel team where she will add a championship level mentality to our program."Â Â
Name: Aristea Tontai
Position: Middle Blocker
Height: 6-4
Hometown: Athens, Greece
Previous: Coastal Carolina
Club Team: AEK Women's Volleyball Club
Aristea Tontai comes UNC from Coastal Carolina where she played in 70 sets with 14 starts during her freshman campaign. She ranked fourth on the team with a .265 attack percentage and 0.66 blocks per set. Tontai had three or more blocks in seven matches, including season-highs of six against Texas State and App State. The Athens, Greece native was a member of  the Greek National Team and competed in the CEV Champions League. Tontai competed for the U19 National Team in the European Championship Qualification Tournament. She helped her U18 team reach the quarterfinals of the Greece National Championship. At the club level, the incoming sophomore helped her team to a second-place finish in the 2015-16 Greek National Cup, and led the squad to its first playoff appearance in 2014.
"Aristea has the ability to play both middle and opposite for us," Sagula said, "and her ability to help our team maintain a presence at the net in blocking and hitting. She has the experience of playing at a high level in her home country in Greece, and her experience playing on a very successful Coastal Carolina team in 2017. I like her versatility with the ability to play multiple positions along with her strong serving and back court skills."Â
Prior to the 2018 campaign, the Tar Heels will embark on a Foreign Tour to Italy, France and Spring in late May.Â
"This group will come together in the middle of May and train together in preparation for our Foreign Trip to Europe," Sagula said. "This tour has come at a great time for our players and new staff as we shape the team for 2018. All 15 players will be able to travel, train, compete and benefit from the experience of working together and prepare us for the next steps for the Carolina program"
Stay up to date with Carolina Volleyball by following the Tar Heels on Twitter and Instagram.
"I am delighted to officially announce the addition of Annabelle Archer who completes our freshmen class along with two transfer student-athletes Hunter Atherton and Aristea Tontai to our 2018 roster," head coach Joe Sagula said. "Annabelle is part of our very talented incoming freshman class which includes Destiny Cox, Lauren Harrison and mid-year enrollees Ava Bell and Hadden LaGarde. Hunter and Aristea will add the needed experience as we transition for the future of the program. I see all of them having the ability to impact our team immediately.
Â
 |
| Annabelle Archer |
Position: Setter
Height: 5-8
Hometown: Lucas, Texas
High School: Lovejoy
Club Team: Skyline Juniors
A 2017 Andi Collins Award Finalist and Texas Association of Volleyball Coaches (TAVC) all-state selection, Annabelle Archer led her team to three district championships and two state finals as both a 5-1 and 6-2 setter. She was named the District 15-5A Setter of the Year and an all-state, all-star and all-area first-team setter as a senior. Archer was named to the AVCA Under Armour All-America watch list and named Top-25 Texas Player in the class of 2018. On the club circuit, Archer helped the Skyline Juniors to an undefeated season in 2016 en route to a first place finish in the Open Division Lone Star Classic Qualifier. A two-time academic all-district and two-time academic all-state selection, Archer is a 2017 AP scholar with distinction and a member of National Honor Society. Archer also competed in varsity track as a freshman and sophomore at Lovejoy.
"Annabelle is a part of this great incoming 2018 freshman class we have of future Tar Heels," Sagula said. "We know that she will be a contributor with both her high level setting skills and defensive play. She is quick, and has great vision for the game as one of the top high school and junior players in the country. Annabelle has led numerous teams to championships and is a proven winner on the court. She is also an outstanding student and will be a future leader for our program."
Â
 |
| Hunter Atherton - courtesy of Nebraska Athletics |
Position: Setter
Height: 5-11
Hometown: Prospect, Ohio
High School: Dublin Coffman
Previous: Nebraska
Club Team: Mintonette
Hunter Atherton transfers to Carolina from 2017 National Champion, Nebraska where she played in 20 matches and had 137 set assists, 13 service aces and 46 digs. After redshirting her first season, Atherton made her collegiate debut on Aug. 25 against Oregon when she recorded 47 assists and six digs against Oregon and followed with her first-career double-double of 43 assists and 16 digs at Florida on Aug. 26. Additionally, she had a pair of service aces against Penn State in the NCAA Semifinals. Upon enrolling at Nebraska, Atherton was ranked the No. 41 prospect in 2016 by PrepVolleyball.com and the No. 8 setter. She was named an Under Armour first-team All-American and won the best setter award at the Under Armour All-America showcase. A two-time all-Ohio first-team selection, Atherton was named the Ohio Gatorade Player of the Year en route to leading Dublin Coffman to the Division I state final as a senior in 2015, averaging 9.7 assists per set with 171 digs, 146 kills and 38 aces.
"Hunter comes with a very high level volleyball IQ as an experienced setter training at the Mintonette Club in her hometown of Ohio," Sagula said, "along with her two years at Nebraska as part of a national championship team. She was the 2015 Ohio Gatorade Player of the Year, and is one of the most talented setters to join the Tar Heels. Hunter is a great competitor, and I see her as a leader for this young Tar Heel team where she will add a championship level mentality to our program."Â Â
 |
| Aristea Tontai - courtesy of Coastal Carolina Athletics |
Name: Aristea Tontai
Position: Middle Blocker
Height: 6-4
Hometown: Athens, Greece
Previous: Coastal Carolina
Club Team: AEK Women's Volleyball Club
Aristea Tontai comes UNC from Coastal Carolina where she played in 70 sets with 14 starts during her freshman campaign. She ranked fourth on the team with a .265 attack percentage and 0.66 blocks per set. Tontai had three or more blocks in seven matches, including season-highs of six against Texas State and App State. The Athens, Greece native was a member of  the Greek National Team and competed in the CEV Champions League. Tontai competed for the U19 National Team in the European Championship Qualification Tournament. She helped her U18 team reach the quarterfinals of the Greece National Championship. At the club level, the incoming sophomore helped her team to a second-place finish in the 2015-16 Greek National Cup, and led the squad to its first playoff appearance in 2014.
"Aristea has the ability to play both middle and opposite for us," Sagula said, "and her ability to help our team maintain a presence at the net in blocking and hitting. She has the experience of playing at a high level in her home country in Greece, and her experience playing on a very successful Coastal Carolina team in 2017. I like her versatility with the ability to play multiple positions along with her strong serving and back court skills."Â
Prior to the 2018 campaign, the Tar Heels will embark on a Foreign Tour to Italy, France and Spring in late May.Â
"This group will come together in the middle of May and train together in preparation for our Foreign Trip to Europe," Sagula said. "This tour has come at a great time for our players and new staff as we shape the team for 2018. All 15 players will be able to travel, train, compete and benefit from the experience of working together and prepare us for the next steps for the Carolina program"
Stay up to date with Carolina Volleyball by following the Tar Heels on Twitter and Instagram.
Wednesday, June 17
Wednesday, June 17
Tuesday, June 16
Monday, June 15