University of North Carolina Athletics

Photo by: Jeffrey A. Camarati
Tar Heel Trio Selected To Preseason All-ACC Team
February 6, 2024 | Women's Lacrosse
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Three University of North Carolina women's lacrosse players have been selected to the Preseason All-Atlantic Coast Conference Team ahead of the upcoming 2024 season, as announced by the league on Tuesday afternoon.
Emily Nalls was one of three defenders to receive preseason recognition from the conference while Olivia Dirks and Marissa White earned at-large bids.
Carolina was also picked to finish third in the league by a vote of ACC coaches. The Tar Heels tallied 80 points behind Syracuse (83) and Boston College (98).
One of the best defenders in the country, Nalls has returned to Chapel Hill for her fifth year after earning IWLCA First Team All-America, All-South Region First Team and All-ACC First Team selections a year ago. The Tewaaraton Award Top-25 nominee led the roster with 30 caused turnovers and 33 ground balls, also finishing the 2023 season with 48 draw controls.
A midfielder who is also back in Caroline blue for her fifth year, Dirks capped off her senior season with a team-high 70 draw controls in 18 appearances. She had five or more draw controls in nine separate contests, including a season-high eight in the ACC Championship where she also netted a pair of goals.
Helping lead the Tar Heels offensively last year was White, who ended her freshman campaign with a team-high 46 goals, also adding three assists for 49 points last year. The attacker had 14 multi-point games, was tabbed to the ACC All-Freshman Team and earned Honorable Mention All-America honors by USA Lacrosse Magazine.
Carolina also checked in at No. 3 in both the ILWomen/IWLCA and USA Lacrosse preseason polls, even receiving one first-place from the former.
The Tar Heels begin their season on Feb. 10 at James Madison before the 2024 home opener on Feb. 13 against Liberty. The complete schedule can be found here and tickets are available for purchase here.
Stay up to date with UNC women's lacrosse by following the Tar Heels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Emily Nalls was one of three defenders to receive preseason recognition from the conference while Olivia Dirks and Marissa White earned at-large bids.
Carolina was also picked to finish third in the league by a vote of ACC coaches. The Tar Heels tallied 80 points behind Syracuse (83) and Boston College (98).
One of the best defenders in the country, Nalls has returned to Chapel Hill for her fifth year after earning IWLCA First Team All-America, All-South Region First Team and All-ACC First Team selections a year ago. The Tewaaraton Award Top-25 nominee led the roster with 30 caused turnovers and 33 ground balls, also finishing the 2023 season with 48 draw controls.
A midfielder who is also back in Caroline blue for her fifth year, Dirks capped off her senior season with a team-high 70 draw controls in 18 appearances. She had five or more draw controls in nine separate contests, including a season-high eight in the ACC Championship where she also netted a pair of goals.
Helping lead the Tar Heels offensively last year was White, who ended her freshman campaign with a team-high 46 goals, also adding three assists for 49 points last year. The attacker had 14 multi-point games, was tabbed to the ACC All-Freshman Team and earned Honorable Mention All-America honors by USA Lacrosse Magazine.
Carolina also checked in at No. 3 in both the ILWomen/IWLCA and USA Lacrosse preseason polls, even receiving one first-place from the former.
The Tar Heels begin their season on Feb. 10 at James Madison before the 2024 home opener on Feb. 13 against Liberty. The complete schedule can be found here and tickets are available for purchase here.
Stay up to date with UNC women's lacrosse by following the Tar Heels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
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