University of Miami Volleyball Begins Spring Practices
March 1, 2010
Coral Gables, Fla. – The University of Miami volleyball team is already preparing for the 2010 fall season, beginning with spring practices which began late last week, at the James L. Knight Sports Complex in Coral Gables, Fla. Practices and the spring season will run through Apr. 17.
Fresh off a 2009 NCAA Tournament [Gainesville Regional] appearance, the Hurricanes are under the direction of ninth-year head coach Nicole Lantagne Welch. The `Canes finished the 2009 campaign sporting a record of 18-13 (11-9 ACC), earning an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament.
Miami has four dates of competition set for the fall, including hosting a three-team tournament at home on Sat., Mar. 13, when the `Canes welcome in-state opponent Florida Gulf Coast among others. After that, the `Canes will travel to Rice for a tournament on Sat., Mar. 27, with that tournament taking place in Houston.
The spring schedule concludes with the annual Fiesta on Siesta Key beach volleyball classic on Sat., Apr. 17. Miami is participating as one of the 22-team field at the Collegiate Beach Volleyball Challenge on Siesta Key, Fla. Others participating in this year’s event include in-state schools such as Florida Gulf Coast, USF, Florida UCF, Stetson, Jacksonville, Florida State, Webber, Florida Atlantic, FIU and Southeastern – as well as a host of others outside the Sunshine State.
For information regarding the Collegiate Beach Volleyball Challenge, please visit their official website at /ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=28700&ATCLID=205534841.
The Hurricanes return nine letterwinners from the 2009 campaign, including four starters.
Among those returning for Miami is All-ACC and American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) selection Lane Carico (So., OH). After leading the Atlantic Coast Conference in kills (506), the 5-11, Manhattan Beach, Calif., native finished the year with a team-best 4.36 kills per set average while hoisting a .257 clip (506-167-1320). She would go on to finish second on the team in digs (402) and tied for second in service aces (21). Her 506 kills on the year moved her into second place all-time at Miami for kills in a single season. Carico currently sits seventh all-time at UM for career kills, sporting 875 through two full seasons. In helping Miami to its second NCAA Tournament appearance under head coach Lantagne Welch, Carico played her final five sets of the 2009 campaign establishing a new school record for kills in a postseason match with 21 against FIU in the Gainesville Regional.
Also back are blockers Ali Becker (So., MB) and Lici McGee (Jr., MB) at the net for the `Canes. Becker and McGee combined for 208 total blocks last season, with McGee leading the way with 117 (96 assisted). For Becker, the 91 blocks was a personal season-best for the Katy, Texas native, while McGee established herself ninth all-time at UM in career blocks – now holding an even 200 through her career. McGee is also fourth all-time at Miami in blocks per set (0.98), fourth in solo blocks (39) and ninth in block assists (161).
Nrithya Sundararaman (Fr., RS/S), who stepped in for the injured Katie Gallagher at setter last year, handed out 934 assists in her rookie season – already ranking fourth all-time at UM for career assists. That total also put her eighth all-time for assists in a single season, while ranking first for assists in a five-set post-season match, accumulating 47 vs. FIU (Dec. 3, 2009).
Christine Williamson (So., OH/RS) and Ariell Cooke (Jr., MB), who combined for 12 starts last year, return for Miami after having breakout seasons in 2009. Williamson turned in 220 kills in her sophomore season, while Cooke posted 48 kills and 30 blocks (24 assisted). Also back is setter Katie Gallagher (R-Jr., S).
Newcomers Taylor Hollins, Alex Johnson, Ryan Shaffer and Emani Sims join the team in the fall, and are expected to be big contributors to next year’s success.
Taylor Hollins (Long Beach, Calif.) is a 5-9, outside hitter from Lakewood High School. The powerful player was a four-year starter for Lakewood HS, where she her team to the 2007 Division I state title. She was named three times to the California Press Telegram Dream Team from 2007-09. During that same span, she was three times a nominee for the Lakewood Young Hall of Fame.
Alexandria Johnson (Tallahassee, Fla.) is a 6-0, outside/right side hitter from Leon High School. She played club for North Florida. She was named FHSAA 5-A First Team All-State in 2008, and concluded the 2009 campaign as an Under Armour All-American [Second Team]. In addition, she was named Leon High School’s MVP back-to-back years (2008, ’09).
Ryan Shaffer (San Jose, Calif.) comes to UM via Archbishop Mitty High School, having played club for Vision. The 5-foot-7 libero looks to replace senior Cassie Loessberg in the defensive specialist role for UM. In 2009, Shaffer was tabbed an honorable mention for the Under Armour All-America Team after helping Archbishop Mitty to consecutive Division II State Championships. Shaffer was tabbed as a Prep Volleyball Senior Aces “The 150”, and selected to the WCAL Second Team All-League squad.
Emani Sims (Glenview, Ill.) arrives to UM via Glenbrook South High School. The 5-11, middle blocker helped lead her varsity team to a third place finish in the Division 4-A State tournament, where she led players from all 16 state tournament teams represented (Divisions 1-A, 2-A, 3-A and 4-A) in hitting – finishing with a .513 percentage. In her division, she ranked second in hitting and 15th in kills. Sims was recognized as a 2009 Central Suburban League All-Conference player and earned honors as a Scholar-Athlete. She also received All-State honorable mention by the Chicago Tribune while registering 238 kills and 69 blocks for the season.
For more information on the University of Miami volleyball team, please log on to www.hurricanesports.com. Once there, you will find up-to-date news, stats and information regarding the Hurricanes Volleyball program.
