UNC Volleyball 2025: Building on Success

The North Carolina volleyball team looks to continue its recent success under third-year head coach Mike Schall, after recording its most wins since 2016 last season with a record of 23-8. 

The Tar Heels finished the regular season with a 14-6 record in ACC play and earned a bid in the NCAA tournament for the first time in three years. UNC also defended its home court well with a dominant 13-2 record in Chapel Hill.

“Our goal is to continue to grow as a program. So now we’re in the conversation every year to be not just in the NCAA tournament, but let’s get past the first weekend,” Schall said on the Inside Carolina preview show with Joey Powell. “Let’s get to the Sweet 16. Let’s get to the Elite Eight. Let’s get to a Final Four. That’s what this group is hungry for. 

“Last year’s group set an outstanding foundation for what the expectations are.” 

Three returning starters will help retain experience for Schall and company this fall. Junior setter Zoe Behrendt, sophomore middle blocker Jackie Taylor and redshirt junior outside Chelsea Thorpe lead the Tar Heels, alongside senior libero Maddy May, who played in every set last season. 

“We have a returning core who had significant time on the court, but also significant time in leadership roles,” Schall said. “Maddy May is going into her fourth year. She’s been through coaching changes, players transferring in, she’s been through it all. And she’s been such a rock for us.” 

North Carolina will no longer have outside hitter Mabrey Shaffmaster, however, who graduated as a four-time All-ACC honoree and finished fourth in aces and seventh in kills in the UNC record books.

To help replace her absence, Safi Hampton will take her spot in the starting rotation following a breakout season to end her sophomore campaign. The outside hitter has drawn enough attention to receive a preseason all-ACC nomination.

The Tar Heels also added five players out of the transfer portal this summer. Newcomers Meghan Clifford, Emily Bobbitt, Mackenzie Boyer, Hailey Price and Laynie Smith. 

“I don’t get wrapped up in how tall they are [or] what some recruiting service says about their ranking,” Schall said. “We don’t necessarily need kids who are finished products. We love teaching and we feel that the environment we create here is going to help them continue to grow and get better.” 

UNC will face Winthrop in an exhibition game on Aug. 20 in Chapel Hill, before beginning the regular season in Conway, S.C., to face Maryland and Coastal Carolina on Aug. 30 and 31. The home opener for the Tar Heels is scheduled for Sep. 5 against Bucknell in Carmichael Arena.