Miles, Citron and Hidalgo earn All-ACC preseason recognition

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — As the Irish quickly approach the opener across the pond, the preseason recognitions are ramping up. On Thursday, the ACC announced its preseason conference honors. Olivia Miles and Sonia Citron made the Blue Ribbon Panel Preseason All-ACC Team, and Hannah Hidalgo has been voted the conference’s top newcomer. 

Both Miles and Citron made last year’s All-ACC First Team, and it was Miles’ second time on the list. Citron was the 2022 ACC Rookie of the Year. The dynamic duo led Notre Dame last year with 14.7 and 14.3 points per game, respectively, and they both rank in the top five in the ACC in total defensive rebounds over the last two seasons. Miles and Citron have notched a combined 226 steals over the last two years, more than any other duo in the ACC. 

Of note, senior Maddy Westbeld also received a first-place vote, as did Clemson’s Amari Robinson. The full list of preseason All-ACC honors is below: 

Blue Ribbon Panel Preseason All-ACC Team (61 voters)

Elizabeth Kitley, Virginia Tech (46)
Ta’Niya Latson, Florida State (4)
Georgia Amoore, Virginia Tech (2)
Olivia Miles, Notre Dame (3)
Deja Kelly, North Carolina (1)
Sonia Citron, Notre Dame (1)
Dyaisha Fair, Syracuse (1)
Alyssa Ustby, North Carolina
Makayala Timpson, Florida State
Olivia Cochran, Louisville (1)

While the ACC does not have a female Newcomer of the Year, Hannah Hidalgo was the top vote-getter amongst those entering their first season of ACC play. Hidalgo is one of two freshmen on the list (Jaydn Donovan, Duke), while the other three players are transfers (Jefferson, JMU; Curry, Cal; Donarski, Iowa State). Hidalgo was the No. 5 overall recruit in the 2023 ESPN HoopGurlz rankings, and she put on a show on the international stage, winning gold with Team USA at the 2023 U19 World Cup. 

Newcomer Watch List

Hannah Hidalgo, Notre Dame
Kiki Jefferson, Louisville
Jayda Curry, Louisville
Lexi Donarski, North Carolina
Jadyn Donovan, Duke

In addition to the preseason individual accolades, the ACC released its 23-24 predicted order of finish, as voted on by the Blue Ribbon Panel. Notre Dame was picked second. The Irish won the ACC regular season last year after being picked fourth in the preseason and going 15-3 in conference play. The full list is below: 

1. Virginia Tech (1156)
2. Notre Dame (1052)
3. North Carolina (973)
4. Louisville (867)
5. Florida State (855)
6. Miami (702)
7. Duke (686)
8. NC State (652)
9. Syracuse (504)
10. Virginia (438)
11. Clemson (395)
12. Georgia Tech (342)
13. Boston College (226)
14. Wake Forest (192)
15. Pittsburgh (120)