ACC volleyball has been in conference play for a little over a month now, and the competition has been as challenging as expected.
With six teams in the AVCA Top 25, the conference could belong to anyone. No. 4 Pittsburgh leads the ACC in AVCA rankings after Olivia Babcock, outside hitter and ACC Offensive Player of the Week, had a record-breaking day against then No. 4 Louisville to upset the Cardinals at home on Sunday. Babcock had 41 kills in the five-set win, setting a program record for the Panthers.
Despite another loss earlier in the week to No. 7 SMU, the Cardinals only dropped four spots, coming in at No. 8 this week. These are the first two losses for the Cardinals in ACC play, but they are looking to bounce back as they take on Duke and No. 21 North Carolina this week.
No. 21 North Carolina is 8-0 in conference play, but has not faced the other five ranked ACC teams. The team looks to stay undefeated as it takes on No. 8 Louisville and No. 7 SMU at home this week.
While North Carolina leads in ACC rankings, Miami is ranked higher in NCAA rankings at No. 15 despite a three-game losing streak.
Before ACC play, Georgia Tech was in the top 25, but has gone 4-4 in conference. The Yellow Jackets operate with a strong offense that should put them in the NCAA Tournament come December, despite sitting in the middle of the ACC.
As for Clemson, the Tigers have struggled since entering ACC play, sitting last in the conference at 0-8 after facing many of the ACC’s top teams. As they enter the second half of their season, they are looking to get their first win in conference play earlier than they did last year.
The Tigers did not win a conference game until November last year, but are looking for the victory to come earlier, hosting No. 5 Stanford and California this weekend.
Since some of the ranked teams have yet to cross paths this season, there is no frontrunner for the ACC Championship. There are a couple of important head-to-head matchups to look out for that won’t take place until mid-November, with No. 4 Pittsburgh facing No. 5 Stanford on Nov. 14.
SMU also faces No. 5 Stanford on Nov. 16, while No. 8 Louisville will take on No. 15 Miami.
No matter who wins the conference, at least seven teams from the ACC will likely make it to the NCAA tournament come December, with several making strong cases for national championship contenders.
