Check out the FloVolleyball NCAA Countdown, where we rank the top 20 collegiate women's volleyball teams in the country leading up to opening day on August 26. The No. 19 spot goes to North Carolina this year, and here's why:

The Upshot

The Tar Heels lose big blockers in the middle, but bring in one of the nation's top recruiting classes.

Last Season

• 21-10 overall, 17-3 in ACC (2nd place) 
  
• 1-1 in NCAA Tournament (lost 3-1 at home to Creighton) 
  
• No. 27 in final 2015 RPI 
  
• Team hitting percentage: .235 (#76 in nation) 
  
• Opponents' hitting percentage: .176 (#43 in nation) 
  
• Team blocks per set: 2.39 (#54 in nation) 

The Players

RETURNING STARS

Taylor Treacy | 6-2 | Senior | Opposite
2.32 kills/set (.320); 0.98 blocks/set; 2015 All-ACC

Abigail Curry | 5-10 | Senior | Setter
7.23 assists/set

Taylor Leath | 6-3 | Sophomore | Outside Hitter
2.22 kills/set (.168); 0.45 blocks/set

PROMISING NEWCOMERS

Julia Scoles | 6-1 | Freshman | Outside Hitter
First Team Under Armour High School All-American

Holly Carlton | 6-7 | Freshman | Opposite

Katharine Esterley | 6-4 | Freshman | Middle Blocker

BIGGEST LOSSES

Paige Neuenfeldt | 6-2 | Middle Blocker
2.49 kills/set (.300); 1.47 blocks/set (#14 in nation); Third Team All-American

Victoria McPherson | 6-2 | Middle Blocker
2.32 kills/set (.360); 1.27 blocks/set (#40 in nation); Honorable Mention All-American

Leigh Andrew | 6-1 | Outside Hitter
2.45 kills/set (.168); 0.45 blocks/set

Non-Conference Matches to Watch

August 27 @ Penn State
September 9 vs. Wisconsin
September 10 vs. Minnesota

Outlook

The Tar Heels have been very good for quite some time. Since 2010, UNC is 96-22 (.814) in the ACC, averaging 16 conference wins over the past four seasons. Last season, coach Joe Sagula (27th season @ UNC; 35th overall) put together a 3-0 non-conference sweep of Stanford, and a 12-0 run toward the end of the season. Two starting middles and a starting outside from that team have now graduated, which puts pressure on senior opposite Taylor Treacy and sophomore outside hitter Taylor Leath to provide some firepower. Help should eventually come from one of the nation's top recruiting classes, led by big-time outside hitter Julia Scoles.  

Prediction

North Carolina will battle Louisville and Florida State for the ACC title. Non-conference matches against Minnesota and Wisconsin should help gauge whether the ACC can make more noise in the postseason.

Previously:
20. Louisville

Additional research and reporting contributed by Leslie Hamann.