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University of North Carolina Athletics
Photo by: Andy Mead
Safi Hampton Named To Preseason All-ACC Team, Volleyball Picked Fifth
July 31, 2025 | Volleyball
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Carolina volleyball was ranked fifth in the 2025 Preseason ACC Coaches Poll and Safi Hampton landed a spot on the Preseason All-ACC Team the league announced Thursday afternoon.
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Hampton returns for her junior season after a breakout sophomore campaign. In 2024 she led all returning Tar Heels in kills (291), points per set (3.27), and points (342.0).
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The Tar Heels look to build of the momentum of 2024 that saw them go 23-8 and an impressive 13-2 at home. They reached the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2021 and won in the first round for the first time since 2019.
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Being picked fifth is the highest UNC has appeared in the preseason coaches poll since 2019, when it was also picked fifth.
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The season begins on Aug. 30 with a neutral site match against Maryland in Conway, S.C. The home opener is Sept. 5 against Bucknell.
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The full ACC Preseason poll and All-ACC Team can be found below.
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2025 Preseason All-ACC Volleyball Team:
Larissa Mendes, Georgia Tech
Cara Cresse, Louisville
Chloe Chicoine, Louisville
Nayelis Cabello, Louisville
Flormarie Heredia Colon, Miami
Ariana Rodriguez, Miami
Safi Hampton, North Carolina
Morgan Gaerte, Notre Dame
Olivia Babcock, Pittsburgh
Bre Kelley, Pittsburgh              Â
Ryla Jones, Pittsburgh            Â
Blaire Bayless, Pittsburgh    Â
Malaya Jones, SMUÂ Â Â
Averi Carlson, SMUÂ Â Â
Favor Anyanwu, SMUÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
Elia Rubin, Stanford
Jordyn Harvey, Stanford
Ipar Kurt, Stanford
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2025 Preseason ACC Volleyball Coaches Poll:
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Hampton returns for her junior season after a breakout sophomore campaign. In 2024 she led all returning Tar Heels in kills (291), points per set (3.27), and points (342.0).
Â
The Tar Heels look to build of the momentum of 2024 that saw them go 23-8 and an impressive 13-2 at home. They reached the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2021 and won in the first round for the first time since 2019.
Â
Being picked fifth is the highest UNC has appeared in the preseason coaches poll since 2019, when it was also picked fifth.
Â
The season begins on Aug. 30 with a neutral site match against Maryland in Conway, S.C. The home opener is Sept. 5 against Bucknell.
Â
The full ACC Preseason poll and All-ACC Team can be found below.
Â
2025 Preseason All-ACC Volleyball Team:
Larissa Mendes, Georgia Tech
Cara Cresse, Louisville
Chloe Chicoine, Louisville
Nayelis Cabello, Louisville
Flormarie Heredia Colon, Miami
Ariana Rodriguez, Miami
Safi Hampton, North Carolina
Morgan Gaerte, Notre Dame
Olivia Babcock, Pittsburgh
Bre Kelley, Pittsburgh              Â
Ryla Jones, Pittsburgh            Â
Blaire Bayless, Pittsburgh    Â
Malaya Jones, SMUÂ Â Â
Averi Carlson, SMUÂ Â Â
Favor Anyanwu, SMUÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
Elia Rubin, Stanford
Jordyn Harvey, Stanford
Ipar Kurt, Stanford
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2025 Preseason ACC Volleyball Coaches Poll:
- Pitt, 279 | 10 first-place votes
- Louisville, 271 | 4 first-place votes
- Stanford, 264 | 2 first-place votes
- SMU, 243
- North Carolina, 212
- Georgia Tech, 210
- Miami, 190
- Florida State, 180
- Virginia, 135
- NC State, 134
- Duke, 127
- Notre Dame, 126
- Boston College, 96
- California, 90
- Wake Forest, 84
- Clemson, 62
- Syracuse, 31
- Virginia Tech, 20
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Players Mentioned
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