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www.BLUEANDGOLD.com PRESEASON 2017 93 ND SPORTS explained. "He is a good player now, but I think he has the potential to really take it to another level. Hopefully we can develop that over his four years at Notre Dame." Don't Miss: No. 10 Notre Dame will host No. 13 Virginia Sept. 29. The Cavaliers posted an overall record of 11- 4-5 in 2016 and advanced to the third round of the NCAA Tournament. VOLLEYBALL First Game: Aug. 25 vs. Valparaiso ACC Predicted Finish: Top five NCAA Best-Case Scenario: First round Coach's Expectations: "Just that we're a better team in all areas, and I'm seeing that," head coach Jim McLaughlin said. "More and more of the kids as individuals are getting better. They're improving their game. They have a higher awareness of what they need to do and how to do it. "The consistency is beginning to happen because they're very mindful." Top Players: McLaughlin said senior setter Caroline Holt has emerged as a leader for the Irish throughout the preseason. "In terms of leadership she has a good presence," he said. "She does her job at a high level and works hard. She's an easy person to emulate." Athlete To Watch: According to McLaughlin, sophomore outside hitter Jemma Yeadon has been bringing a tenacity to preseason practices that has been unmatched by other Irish players. "She has an intensity that is a gift," the coach said. "I think she can help other people with that. She's been having some good days in practice just in terms of range hitting and she's passing better." Don't Miss: Notre Dame will play host to No. 11 North Carolina Nov. 11. The Tar Heels posted a 29-4 record and advanced to the third round of the NCAA Tournament in 2016. MEN'S GOLF First Tournament: Sept. 11-12, the Invitational at the Ocean Course in Kiawah Island, S.C. ACC Predicted Finish: 8th to 10th N C A A B e s t - C a s e S c e n a r i o : Regionals C o a c h 's E x p e c t a t i o n s : " T h e expectations are definitely higher than what's been happening in the past," first- year head coach John Handrigan said. "We've got a stronger schedule this year competition wise, so we'll be playing against some higher-level talent. "We'll test our team early in the fall season to see how we match up. Top Player: Notre Dame returns three golfers that claimed individual medalist honors in 2016. Junior Ben Albin (Georgetown Intercollegiate), junior Kevin Connors (The Battle at Warren) and sophomore John Felitto (Notre Dame Kickoff Challenge) are all back for the Irish. Handrigan had yet to meet in-person with his squad as of early August, so he didn't quite have a handle on who the standout player would be in 2017. "I just don't know them well enough yet," he said. "Just talking on the phone with them hasn't given me a good enough idea of who is going to fit that role. It will be kind of up in the air until we get into practice." Athlete To Watch: One player that Handrigan was able to watch over the summer was freshman Alex Jamison. After seeing Jamison compete in some tournaments, the coach said he expects notable achievements from him during his Irish career. "Alex Jamison has had a great summer with a lot of good finishes and is playing well," he said. "He's a promising freshman for sure." Don't Miss: Notre Dame's one home event this fall will be Oct. 8-9, when it hosts the Fighting Irish Classic at Warren Golf Course. WOMEN'S GOLF First Tournament: Sept. 11, the Jim Woods Challenge at The Woodlands, Texas ACC Predicted Finish: 8th to 10th NCAA Best-Case Scenario: Regionals Coach's Expectations: "We need to get back to the NCAA Tournament," head coach Susan Holt said. "We missed it last year for the first time in nine years. We have a very challenging schedule every year. "That's something I firmly believe in. You need to put yourself out there and play against the best if you want to have a chance. We just need to be ready to play and be ready to go in every single round of every single tournament. "We definitely have the talent to do it, it's just about executing and getting it done." Top Player: Junior Emma Albrecht qualified last year for the NCAA Regional and is Notre Dame's top returning golfer. She finished 2016 with a 73.44 stroke average, the second-lowest single-season mark in program history. "Emma had just a fantastic year last year," Holt said. "She had a great season and was certainly rewarded by advancing to the regional. I see her as the one that will definitely be the leader on and off the golf course." Athlete To Watch: Holt named junior Isabella DiLisio as a player to keep an eye on this season. DiLiso finished third on the team in stroke average as a freshman (75.63). She dropped nearly a full stroke off the clip last year to place second on the team, at 74.77, but did not live up to her own lofty expectations. "Isabella had a really good freshman year," the coach noted. "She struggled a little bit by her standards last year as far as just going low. She was pretty consistent, but she definitely has the ability to go low and get back to that again. She's just that kind of player." Don't Miss: The Irish will travel to Norman, Okla., to participate in the Schooner Fall Classic Sept. 23. ✦ Sophomore outside hitter Jemma Yeadon was an ACC All-Freshman choice last year after she started 29 matches and led the squad in kills per set (2.94), points (377) and total kills (318). PHOTO COURTESY NOTRE DAME MEDIA RELATIONS