Nov. 28, 2016
By Robby Hamman
NOTRE DAME, Ind. — Four University of Notre Dame volleyball student-athletes were selected to All-Atlantic Coast Conference teams on Monday, Nov. 28. The teams were voted on by the 14 conference head coaches.
The Irish placed a trio of players on the second team, as juniors Sam Fry and Caroline Holt received the accolades, while sophomore Ryann DeJarld was also recognized for her standout season. For the third consecutive season, Notre Dame had a student-athlete represented on the ACC All-Freshman team, as Jemma Yeadon earned the honor.
Monday’s recognition marks the second straight season that Fry has received ACC All-Second team honors. The middle blocker made a big impact for the Irish in 2016, ranking second on the team in kills (255), kills per set (2.38) and blocks (102). Fry had 10-plus blocking performances in three matches this season, recording a career high of 12 in matches against Duke (9/30) and Virginia (11/13).
Playing in her first season with Notre Dame, Holt thrived in running the Irish attack from the setter position. Notre Dame was 18-4 in matches the junior transfer played, including a record of 9-1 in ACC matches. Holt averaged 10.97 assists per set to lead the Irish and rank second in the ACC. The 10.97 assists per set rank second in the Notre Dame record books since the NCAA switched to 25-point sets in 2008.
After a solid debut season in 2015, DeJarld anchored the Notre Dame defense this season. The sophomore finished the year with 572 digs, ranking third all-time for digs in a season in Notre Dame history. DeJarld was second in the ACC in digs per set (5.02) and aces per set (0.39). The libero totaled 44 aces on the season, which places her in a tie for sixth in the Irish record books for aces in a season.
Yeadon played a vital role in Notre Dame’s success this season, as the freshman led the Irish attack with a team-high 2.94 kills per set. The Mercer Island, Washington native recorded double-digit kills in 19 matches, including six straight to close out the 2016 campaign. Yeadon had a huge performance against Duke, recording career highs in kills (18) and digs (29) to lead the Irish to a 3-1 win.
The Irish produced their most wins in a season since 2005, finishing 2016 with a record of 22-10. Notre Dame went 13-7 in conference play, marking the most ACC victories in program history. Of the 22 victories, 16 came in straight set fashion.
ACC Award Winners
Player of the Year: Taylor Leath, NC
Defensive Player of the Year: Sasha Karelov, DU
Setter of the Year: Kamalani Akeo, Pittsburgh
Freshman of the Year: Julia Scoles, NC
Coach of the Year: Joe Sagula, NC
First Team All-ACC
Sasha Karelov, Duke
Leah Meyer, Duke
Jordan Tucker, Duke
Katie Horton, FS
Milica Kubura, FS
Teegan Van Gunst, GT
Olga Strantzali, Miami
Taylor Leath, NC
Julia Scoles, NC
Taylor Treacy, NC
Julia Brown, ST
Jenna Potts, Pitt
Stephanie Williams, Pitt
Lindsey Owens, VT
Second Team All-ACC
Leah Perri, CU
Mara Green, FS
Melanie Keil, FS
Tess Clark, UL
Molly Sauer, UL
Abbey Curry, NC
Taylor Fricano, NC
Maggie Speaks, ST
Ryann DeJarld, ND
Samantha Fry, ND
Caroline Holt, ND
Mariah Bell, Pitt
Kamalani Akeo, Pitt
Jasmine Burton, Virginia
All-Freshman ACC
Samantha Amos, Duke
Cindy Marina, Duke
Taylor Borup, NC
Julia Scoles, NC
Jemma Yeadon, ND
Nika Markovic, Pitt
Layne Van Buskirk, Pitt
Caitlyn Della, Wake Forest
Caroline Rassenfoss, Wake Forest
— ND —
Robby Hamman joined Fighting Irish Media as athletics communications assistant director in September 2016, coordinating efforts for the volleyball and men’s lacrosse program. Hamman is a 2010 graduate of Bethel College, where he earned bachelor’s degrees in sport management and business administration, and earned his master’s degree in business administration from Defiance College in 2013.