Photo by: © Abby Smith
Carney Tabbed to 2023 ACC Volleyball All-Freshman Team
11/27/2023 3:58:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
A notable honor picked up by the young Deacon!
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – With its 2023 fall season having come to an official close, Wake Forest volleyball earned recognition from the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) on Monday afternoon (Nov. 27) when first-year outside hitter Ava Carney was named to the conference's All-Freshman Team, announced by the league office.
Carney is the 15th individual throughout program history to land a spot on the All-Freshman team. Additionally, with fellow Demon Deacons Emma Farrell and Paige Crawford having earned All-Freshman honors a year ago in 2022, this marks the first time since 2007-08 in which Wake Forest has had one or more players attain such honors in back-to-back years. The feat is also a first in the head coach Randi Smart era.
All-Time Wake Forest Volleyball Selections to ACC All-Freshman Team
Corie Miles - 1997
Trina Maso de Moya - 1998
Margaret Davidson - 1998
Christy Williams - 2002
Kelsey Jones - 2007
Kadija Fornah - 2008
Danae Rosendall - 2011
Kylie Long - 2014
Caroline Wolf - 2014
Caroline Rassenfoss - 2016
Caitlyn Della - 2016
Ashley Slater - 2020
Emma Farrell - 2022
Paige Crawford - 2022
Ava Carney - 2023
"This year's ACC freshman class is strong and talented," noted Coach Smart. "What a well-earned recognition for Ava. Her drive, competitive nature, and student-of-the-game mentality will continue to make an impact! We are excited to see her keep making strides as she furthers into her collegiate career. Congratulations, Ava!"
Ava Carney | 6-2 | Outside Hitter | Pittsburgh, Pa.
Playing in all 29 of the team's matches while making 16 starts, Carney ended second on the roster in kills (332). The Pittsburgh native also grew in her defensive ability as the fall progressed, ultimately finishing third in blocks among the team (57.0) while being one of three players to total 50 or more for the year. A high-flying, hitting option within the Deacs' offense, Carney registered 10 or more kills on 20 separate occasions. For the final eight matches, she plugged in 11 or more kills for each showing. Facing No. 11 Georgia Tech at home in Wake Forest's first nationally-ranked test of the year (Oct. 1), the freshman exploded for season-best marks of 19 kills and seven blocks. Helping pace the Deacons in an impressive conference opener victory over Miami (Sept. 3), Carney shined in one of her most efficient performances of the year – going 15-of-25 in attacks while suffering four errors (.440 hitting percentage). A road matchup at No. 7 Pittsburgh (Oct. 29) saw her lead Wake Forest with a team-high 12 kills. On the defensive end, she reached season highs of nine digs twice, happening in consecutive outings versus App State (Sept. 15) and Davidson (Sept. 16) in the latter's 2023 fall invitational.
Ava Carney 2023 Standout Performances
Wake Forest finished 17-12 overall in its 2023 fall campaign, as this year became the first time the program has posted back-to-back seasons of 17 or more wins since 2000-01. The team additionally tallied eight wins in conference play -- marking two consecutive years of at least eight victories against ACC opponents for its best feat such 2009-10.
The full list of ACC volleyball awards can be found here.
Follow the Deacs
Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | GoDeacs.com
Carney is the 15th individual throughout program history to land a spot on the All-Freshman team. Additionally, with fellow Demon Deacons Emma Farrell and Paige Crawford having earned All-Freshman honors a year ago in 2022, this marks the first time since 2007-08 in which Wake Forest has had one or more players attain such honors in back-to-back years. The feat is also a first in the head coach Randi Smart era.
All-Time Wake Forest Volleyball Selections to ACC All-Freshman Team
Corie Miles - 1997
Trina Maso de Moya - 1998
Margaret Davidson - 1998
Christy Williams - 2002
Kelsey Jones - 2007
Kadija Fornah - 2008
Danae Rosendall - 2011
Kylie Long - 2014
Caroline Wolf - 2014
Caroline Rassenfoss - 2016
Caitlyn Della - 2016
Ashley Slater - 2020
Emma Farrell - 2022
Paige Crawford - 2022
Ava Carney - 2023
"This year's ACC freshman class is strong and talented," noted Coach Smart. "What a well-earned recognition for Ava. Her drive, competitive nature, and student-of-the-game mentality will continue to make an impact! We are excited to see her keep making strides as she furthers into her collegiate career. Congratulations, Ava!"
Ava Carney | 6-2 | Outside Hitter | Pittsburgh, Pa.
Playing in all 29 of the team's matches while making 16 starts, Carney ended second on the roster in kills (332). The Pittsburgh native also grew in her defensive ability as the fall progressed, ultimately finishing third in blocks among the team (57.0) while being one of three players to total 50 or more for the year. A high-flying, hitting option within the Deacs' offense, Carney registered 10 or more kills on 20 separate occasions. For the final eight matches, she plugged in 11 or more kills for each showing. Facing No. 11 Georgia Tech at home in Wake Forest's first nationally-ranked test of the year (Oct. 1), the freshman exploded for season-best marks of 19 kills and seven blocks. Helping pace the Deacons in an impressive conference opener victory over Miami (Sept. 3), Carney shined in one of her most efficient performances of the year – going 15-of-25 in attacks while suffering four errors (.440 hitting percentage). A road matchup at No. 7 Pittsburgh (Oct. 29) saw her lead Wake Forest with a team-high 12 kills. On the defensive end, she reached season highs of nine digs twice, happening in consecutive outings versus App State (Sept. 15) and Davidson (Sept. 16) in the latter's 2023 fall invitational.
Ava Carney 2023 Standout Performances
- Versus North Carolina (Nov. 10) – 14 kills (.355), four digs & two blocks
- At North Carolina (Nov. 5) – 14 kills & five blocks
- At Syracuse (Oct. 8) – 18 kills, five digs & three blocks
- Versus No. 11 Georgia Tech (Oct. 1) – 19 kills, seven blocks & five digs
- Versus Miami (Sept. 22) – 15 kills (.440), five digs & two service aces
- Versus Western Michigan (Sept. 9) – 18 kills (.317) & three blocks
- Versus Florida International (Sept. 3) – 12 kills (.478)
- Versus Grand Canyon (Aug. 27) – 16 kills (.318)
Wake Forest finished 17-12 overall in its 2023 fall campaign, as this year became the first time the program has posted back-to-back seasons of 17 or more wins since 2000-01. The team additionally tallied eight wins in conference play -- marking two consecutive years of at least eight victories against ACC opponents for its best feat such 2009-10.
The full list of ACC volleyball awards can be found here.
Follow the Deacs
Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | GoDeacs.com
Players Mentioned
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