Coming off a successful season that saw an ACC regular season championship and a sixth-consecutive appearance in the NCAA Tournament, Duke has been picked by the league's head coaches to top the 2011 conference standings.
The Blue Devils garnered 117 of a possible 121 points in the poll, 99 of them coming from first-place votes. First-place votes equate to 11 points, second-place 10 points, etc. Florida State came in as the runner-up with 110 points and three first-place votes.
Duke finished the 2010 season with a 27-7 overall record and 16-4 in the conference under the guidance of ACC Coach of the Year Jolene Nagel and ACC Player of the Year setter Kellie Catanach.
A total of four Blue Devils made the 2011 Preseason All-ACC Team -- Catanach, middle blocker and offensive hitter Sophia Dunworth, middle blocker Amanda Robertson and libero Ali McCurdy.
The team kicks off its preseason with the Duke Invitational Aug. 26 where the Blue Devils will open against Furman at Cameron Indoor Stadium at 7 p.m. The full schedule can be found here.
Get The Chronicle straight to your inbox
Signup for our weekly newsletter. Cancel at any time.