Notre Dame volleyball: Irish picked No. 4

Just four days away from a key non-conference matchup with Atlantic Coast Conference foe North Carolina, the University of Notre Dame volleyball team was picked fourth in the ACC preseason coaches poll, while junior standouts Toni Alugbue and Jeni Houser earned a spot on the preseason all-conference team in voting conducted by the league office Monday.

The Irish, who finished 20-10 and advanced to the first round of the NCAA Championship in their last season in the Big East, received 153 votes and placed behind unanimous league pick Florida State, North Carolina and Miami. The other two programs that are making the move to the ACC. Syracuse and Pittsburgh, were picked 12th and 13th, respectively.