The New Wave: ACC Edition

With only 29 days until the first serve of the 2025 season, let’s take a look at some fresh(man) faces that will be hitting the court in this series, “The New Wave!” 

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Although we haven’t seen these athletes take center stage yet, the impact that they can make is astronomical! Take 2023 when Olivia Babcock and Harper Murray led their teams to Final Four appearances, and this past year with Izzy Starck helping her team to its first national championship in 10 years! Experience in the college game is obviously a huge benefit, but sometimes raw talent is just too hard to deny!

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In this article, we will dive into the ACC’s newest difference-makers!

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Pitt - #20, Abbey Emch, Middle, Elite Orange

Although the Panthers have arguably one of the best middle duos in the game with Bre Kelley and Ryla Jones, Emch is coming off a tremendous summer with Team USA at the U19 World Championships and will bring some elite experience to the table!

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Stanford - #24, Logan Parks, Setter, Gold

A member of the U21 Training Team and a Kansas Gatorade Player of the Year, Parks will step right into the huge shoes left behind by perennial All-American Kami Miner!

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Louisville - #24, Kalyssa Blackshear, Middle, Orange

Blackshear has long been a player whom we have considered underrated, and Meske will be eager to prove his point with this young ATHLETE!

​Louisville - Chloe Meester, Outside, Gold

Meester is the Cards most high profile recruit to date and another UA All-American, so there is definitely expectations with her as she heads to campus. There is also a void at the outside position with some key departures on the roster. There is veteran talent in front of her, but you have to assume there is some thought that the powerful and athletic Iowan will get some sort of look in the roation at some point this season. What she does with it is up to her.

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SMU - #3, Kennedi Rogers, Outside, Green

With a complete roster turnover after a breakout season last fall, Malaya Jones and Jadyn Livings seem poised to claim two of the starting pin slots for Sam Erger, leaving the OH2 spot up for grabs; impressing in the spring, Rogers is a fiery athlete that would step in and COMPETE!

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North Carolina - #10, Bridget Malone, Outside, Orange

Behind the breakout of Safi Hampton last fall, look for Malone to compete well for a starting pin spot!

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Florida State - #7, Ryan Murphy, Setter, Elite Red

With the transfer of starting setter Kenna Phelan, this elite facilitator is next on deck!

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Georgia Tech - Anika Groom, Outside, Elite Orange

A classic six rotation find for Michelle Collier, the Yellow Jackets have seemingly found another rising star in Groom!

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Miami - #15, Amina N’Diaye, Outside, Elite Orange

After seemingly losing star Flormarie Heredia Colon in the offseason, then getting her back months later, the outside position for the Canes has been a question mark. With N’Diaye, that position could be set for the next four years!

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Virginia - #5, Caroline Lang, Middle/Right Side, Orange

A dominating presence at 6 feet 3 inches tall, this physical athlete is poised to fight!

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NC State - #27, Rebecca Ring, Outside, Red

One of the highest-ranked players coming out of Wisconsin, Ring is a crafty shotmaker who will, without a doubt, turn heads!

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Boston College - Ali Natt, Libero/DS, Green

Winning a 17 Open AAU Championship with Tribe last summer, Natt has a knack for making big plays in big moments; her gutsy play will fight rin in with the Eagles!

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Cal - #9, Annemarie O’Gara, Right Side, Green

This stud is SO impressive to watch and absolutely pounds the ball! For a program aiming higher and higher each year, they are on the right foot with players like O’Gara!

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Duke - #22, Charlotte Glass, Setter, Silver

A social media star, Glass more than fits the billing when it comes to the hype surrounding her! With such a smooth and consistent delivery, expect Glass to be a four-year contributor!

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Wake Forest - #11, Sadie Poeck, Right Side, Red

Poeck is everything you want when recruiting a player into your program - someone who will just go out there and leave it all on the court!

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Notre Dame - #19, Chichi Nnaji, Outside, Elite Orange

Nnaji has all the tools to be a difference maker for the Fighting Irish, with a 6-4 frame and nasty swing!

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Syracuse - #6, Marie Laurio, Outside, Green

Laurio is a firecracker that quietly does everything well. Whether in serve receive, blocking, or cutting a ball down the line, she moves with full intention and high quality!

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Clemson - #16, Ecem Aksoy, Outside

This offseason, we have seen an enormous increase in the overseas recruiting game, and Aksoy is a direct result of that! The Turkiye native will bring loads of experience to the Tigers!

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Virginia Tech - #2, Brianna Holladay, Middle, Green

Capping off this edition, we have new Hokie Holladay! Only registering one conference win last season, this middle will definitely have a role in raising that number!

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