ACC Volleyball conference play start this weekend in NC.
by domerduck (2018-09-20 15:30:15)

It was a tough weekend losing the home and home with Michigan, but if the team can bounce back and win the two matches in North Carolina against UNC and NC State Friday and Sunday, we still could have a good season. ND's record is the same with NC State and doing better than NC (4-5). Three of ND's losses were to top 20 teams and the other 3-2 at Western Kentucky.

On Friday night ND goes to Chapel Hill to play a team that has lost to 5 good teams: two ranked (#6 Wisconsin, #7 Minnesota) and the other 3: Colorado, Georgia, & MSU (at UNC). Though two were away matches and two neitral, all the losses were 0-3 or 1-3. Like ND their wins were all against weak teams. This will be a good test for ND.

As will NC State as their losses were in two Neutral site tournaments (10th ranked Creighton & unranked Georgia) and the other two were at home: 1-3 to 22 ranked WSU and 2-3 to Utah Valley State just 2 weeks ago. Last year both ND and NC State had similar RPIs (ND 43 NC st 41) and both made the NCAAs. Our match is Sunday after they take on Louisville Friday night.

ND probably needs to be top 4 in the ACC to make the NCAAs. Only Pitt is ranked (#9) and Louisville is the only other ACC team getting votes. Last year 5 teams made it including Pitt, L'ville, ND, NC State and FSU. The way the Pac12 (10 of the top 31 ranked) & Big 10 (7 of the top 26) are dominating this year, their won't be that much room. for many at large ACC teams.

We need a good start by winning both matches in North Carolina. Both matches are on TV (ACC Network Xtra/ESPN3).