Getting to the top is difficult, but staying there is an even bigger challenge.
Duke-which was picked as the top team in the ACC's preseason coaches poll-faces that task as it enters its conference schedule.
The Blue Devils, (7-2) coming off a 2-1 showing in the Sun Devil Classic, open their 22-game ACC slate this weekend with a pair of contests in Cameron Indoor Stadium. The team plays Clemson (5-3) Friday and Georgia Tech (8-2) Saturday. Both games start at 7 p.m.
Duke's most recent tournament performance was strong, as the Blue Devils beat Butler and Arizona State before losing in a close four-game match against Notre Dame. In addition to facing good competition, the team cultivated additional depth before the conference season gets underway.
"All of our players on our team gained some valuable experience during the preseason," head coach Jolene Nagel said. "Hopefully when they get an opportunity during conference play, they will have that confidence."
The Blue Devils went on a 10-1 run during the second half of the ACC schedule in 2005, propelling the team to its first NCAA tournament appearance since 2002. Despite this success, Nagel realizes that the momentum built from last season will not automatically carry over.
"We have to re-establish ourselves," Nagel said. "Just like during a volleyball match, there are a lot of momentum changes, and we've got to try to get a strong start and gain some of that momentum."
Eight of the conference's 12 coaches selected the Blue Devils as the league's top team before the season began, but that respect does come at the price of being a target at which the rest of the conference can aim.
"Being ranked No. 1, people are going to have that extra drive to come and get us," senior outside hitter Tealle Hunkus said. "We know that we have to bring our game every night."
Clemson and Georgia Tech are both expected to present a strong challenge to Duke, and the Blue Devils certainly understand the advantage of opening the ACC schedule at home. Last season, the Blue Devils split their season-opening road trip, losing to Clemson before bouncing back with a win over the Yellow Jackets the following day.
"The fact that we have them at home is a wonderful thing," Nagel said.
Clemson, led by preseason All-ACC outside hitter Jeanette Abbott and middle blocker Danielle Hepburn, will present the Blue Devils with a powerful offensive challenge. Georgia Tech, ranked third in the preseason ACC coaches poll, features an attack that will force the Blue Devils to play aggressively in order to defend.
"We're expecting tough matches," Hunkus said. "It's going to be a great weekend back-to-back."
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