Hurricanes Volleyball Starts Fall Practices
Aug. 11, 2008
Coral Gables, Fla. – The 2008 edition of the University of Miami Hurricanes volleyball team officially started the season over the weekend with fall practices at the Knight Sports Complex on the campus of UM in Coral Gables, Fla.
With the start of the season just 18 days away, the `Canes will be looking to rebound from a 2007 season in which they finished 14-17, 8-14 ACC.
“We are very excited about the upcoming season,” stated head coach Nicole Lantagne Welch. “Our freshmen are coming into the program in great shape, and the returning players are playing well in the gym. So, we’re looking forward to a very productive year.”
The Hurricanes welcome back 11 letterwinners and five starters from last season.
One of the starters returning is sophomore setter Katie Gallagher who was named to the 2007 ACC All-Freshman Team after finishing the campaign ranked seventh in the conference in assists (1,243) last season. That number was tops among freshman in the league in that category. She was also second in the conference overall in service aces with 113.
“We still have a lot of work to do, but there are great signs of things to come,” added Lantagne Welch. “We’re working hard in practice and the adjustments needed for the season will come. The quicker we can make changes carry over to game type situations, the more prepared we will be for our opener later this month. I really like the effort every player is putting out there each practice.”
Also returning for the `Canes is junior outside hitter Genny Mayhew. She ended the 2007 season ranked ninth in the league in kills (428) and points (465). Mayhew was also named as the Hurricanes’ Team MVP last season after leading the squad in four offensive categories, as well as finishing fourth in digs (224) and tied for fifth in total blocks (43).
Miami will welcome back several former players on Aug. 23 as team hosts the 4th Annual Alumni Match at the Knight Sports Complex at 4 p.m.
The season begins Aug. 29 in San Marcos, Texas as the `Canes take part in the CenturyTel Premier Tournament hosted by Texas State University. Other participating schools include host Texas State, Sacramento State, Texas-Pan American and Louisiana-Lafayette.
Season and individual match tickets are on sale and available by calling (800) G0-CANES. You can also order online by visiting www.hurricanesports.com.
