Miami Hurricanes Volleyball Storms into Fall Practices
Aug. 11, 2009
Coral Gables, Fla. – The University of Miami volleyball team hit the court for the first time Monday, Aug. 11 as they began fall practices for the upcoming 2009 campaign. UM is led by ninth-year head coach and reigning ACC Coach of the Year, Nicole Lantagne Welch.
Coming off the best Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) season in school history in which the team finished 14-6 (26-6 overall) and tied for third in the league, the Hurricanes hope to keep their “eye” on the prize for the 2009 campaign. The start of the season is just 17 days away, and the optimism surrounding the season is certainly warranted.
Miami returns four starters plus the libero/defensive specialist from last year, as well as five key contributors that saw heavy action.
“With a lot of people coming back, I feel the attitude of our returnees is one of confidence, yet really having something to prove,” states Lantagne Welch, the reigning ACC and AVCA East Region Coach of the Year. “They want to accomplish a lot of great things.”
Of those starters returning to the court, UM welcomes back 2008 All-ACC Second Team selection senior outside hitter Genny Mayhew (Clovis, Calif.), in addition to senior libero Cassie Loessberg (Sacramento, Calif.).
Mayhew enters the year as a team captain for the `Canes. Last season, she finished the year second on the team in kills (356), while producing 40 assists and 17 service aces. She was named as MVP of both the Century Tel Premier and Asics/Coca-Cola Invitational a year ago, while also being selected to the All-ACC Team for the first time in her career. Mayhew went on to increase her hitting percentage by 30 points, going from .172 (2007) up to .212 (2008).
Defensively, libero Cassie Loessberg (Sacramento, Calif.) not only set a new school record for single-season digs (554) in 2008, but she also moved into second place all-time for career digs (1,424). She enters the 2009 campaign needing just 198 digs to surpass Jamie Grass on the all-time list. Loessberg was named to the Century Tel Premier All-Tournament Team, in addition to leading the team in digs per set (4.78) and serving up a team second-best 34 aces.
“Cassie and Genny have a lot of experience, and a lot of leadership,” expresses Lantagne Welch. “They’ve gone through a lot, so they know how to handle different situations. That’s good to have.”
Junior setter Katie Gallagher (Winter Park, Fla.) and sophomore outside hitter Lane Carico (Manhattan Beach, Calif.) return as starters for UM this season, each having been instrumental in their respective areas last year.
Gallagher moved into second place all-time at UM in career assists (2,445), while Carico was named to numerous post-season teams. Carico picked up All-ACC Second Team and Rookie Team honors on her way to be tabbed ACC Freshman of the Year–leading the `Canes in kills (369) throughout the year. She would also be named AVCA East Region Freshman of the Year as she was tabbed an honorable mention player for the AVCA All-East Region Team.
“Katie’s been setting for us for a couple of years, and she has experience running the court,” admits Lantagne Welch about Gallagher. “Just having someone that has that confidence and experience brings out the best in everyone around them.”
Miami will welcome back several former players on Aug. 22 as team hosts the 5th Annual Alumni Match at the James L. Knight Sports Complex on the campus of UM at 3 p.m.
The season officially gets underway Aug. 28 when UM hosts the Hurricane Invitational (Aug. 28-29) at the Knight Sports Complex. Others taking part in the event include Florida Gulf Coast, Prairie View A&M and USF.
A complete 2009 volleyball schedule may be reviewed at www.hurricanesports.com. A printable schedule is also available on the website. For ticket information, please call the University of Miami Ticket Office at (305) 284-CANE.
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.
