The Scoop: Duke’s senior captains are determined to lead a young squad back to the NCAA tournament after last season’s team came up short. A strong sophomore class has a full season under its belt, and some instant-impact freshmen have enough talent for the Blue Devils to hang with any team in the ACC.
Key Players: Libero Ali McCurdy—A four-year starter and two-time reigning ACC Defensive Player of the Year, McCurdy is a steady presence on the court for the Blue Devils, notching 672 digs last season.
Middle Blocker Elizabeth Campbell—The sophomore from Colorado ranked fourth on last year’s team with 296 kills and ranked third with 92 blocks, and will ameliorate the loss of Christiana Gray to graduation.
Middle Blocker Chelsea Cook—With 29 service aces for last year’s team, Cook’s serving prowess and solid blocking ability will help smooth the rough patches for a young team that continues to develop.
Games to Watch: Sept. 8 at No. 6 Minnesota, Oct. 25 vs. No. 18 Florida State, Nov. 29 vs. North Carolina
Prediction: Fifth in the ACC, NCAA tournament second round
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