Miami Volleyball Honors Players at End-of-Year Banquet

Feb. 8, 2011

2011 Volleyball Banquet Photo Gallery

Coral Gables, Fla. – University of Miami head volleyball coach Nicole Lantagne Welch and her staff honored five different student-athletes on Monday, Feb. 7, celebrating with the team at volleyball’s annual end-of-year banquet at Monty’s Restaurant in nearby Coconut Grove, Fla.

Under the direction of 10th-year head coach Nicole Lantagne Welch, the UMiami volleyball team had another enjoyable season in 2010, making it to the NCAA Tournament for the second consecutive year. The Hurricanes finished the year 23-9 overall, earning a No. 3 seed in the Bloomington [Ind.] Regional.

At the end-of-year banquet, Lantagne Welch and her staff recognized performances by volleyball student-athletes in a variety of areas, including on the court and in the classroom.

For the second consecutive season, junior outside hitter Lane Carico was named as the team’s Most Valuable Player after being selected as the school’s first-ever AVCA All-American (third team). Additionally, Carico picked up the team’s 100% Award, given annually to the player who exemplifies a dedication of 100 percent day in and day out.

Carico, a native of Manhattan Beach, Calif., ended the 2010 year claiming her third consecutive appearance on the All-ACC Team and All-AVCA East Region Team. She was second in the league in kills (471 / 3.83 per set); third in service aces (38 / 0.31 per set); and third in points (535.5 / 4.35 per set). She also led the ACC in double-doubles, registering a personal season-best 26 on the campaign. She was the only player in the conference to record 400 kills and 400 digs in the 2010 regular season. Carico finished the year second on the UM squad in digs with 454 (3.69 per set). She notched 16 kills and 14 digs while battling through illness in Miami’s NCAA Tournament match against Indiana.

Senior middle blocker Ariell Cooke picked up this year’s Most Inspirational Award, an award that is selected upon by teammates, given to the player that inspires the team to be the best people and players they can be. Cooke, just finishing her four-year career for the Hurricanes, ended the 2010 campaign hitting at a team third-best .318 clip (253k-73e-566ta), adding a team second-best 83 blocks (72 assisted). Her 253 kills bested her total in that category from the previous three seasons combined, concluding her career with 490 (1.54 per set) and 191 blocks (0.60 per set).

For the second straight year, sophomore Lizzie Hale picked up the team’s Unsung Hero Award, this year adding the Co-Academic Award honor as well. Hale, a 6-0, DS/OH from Menlo Park, Calif., collected the Unsung Hero Award which is given to the player who demonstrated a hard work ethic but whose efforts may have gone unnoticed during the season. She ended the season with 92 digs and 10 service aces for the `Canes.

Hale and classmate Nrithya Sundararaman shared this year’s Academic Award for the `Canes, toting the highest GPAs of any student-athletes during the course of two semesters on the season. Sundararaman handed out 158 assists (3.51 per set) on the year, in addition to 26 digs, 13 kills and 10 blocks from her setter position.

The final team award was given to freshman Julia Giampaolo, picking up the team’s Most Improved Award. Giampaolo, a 5-7, libero from Torrington, Conn., earned the award which is given annually to the player that has made the biggest improvement throughout the course of the season as voted on by players and coaches. She finished the year seeing action in two matches for the `Canes as a defensive specialist.

At the end of the dinner, Lantagne Welch honored seniors Lici McGee and Ariell Cooke with framed jerseys for their hard work through a full career with the Orange and Green.

McGee, a native of Warr Acres, Okla., ended her playing career ranked fifth in school history in blocks per set (0.91), ninth in total blocks (234) and 10th in block assists (186). During the 2009 season, McGee posted a personal season-best 234 kills and a team-leading 117 blocks. She helped UM in a comeback win at Georgia Tech, and finished the year second on the team with 312 points. She was named to the Hampton Inn & Suites Northern Colorado All-Tournament Team as UM went 3-0 in winning the championship.

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