Miami Volleyball Set to Host Alumni Match
Aug. 21, 2009
Coral Gables, Fla. – Under the direction of ninth-year head coach Nicole Lantagne Welch, the University of Miami volleyball team will host the Fifth Annual Match on Saturday, Aug. 22 at the James L. Knight Sports Complex at 3 p.m. Admission to the event is free.
The event gives UM fans a chance to catch their first glimpse of the volleyball team in their quest to capture an Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) title. Fans are encouraged to stay afterwards for autographs and a chance to meet the team personally.
The 2009 edition of the Hurricanes return 10 letterwinners including four starters from last season’s squad that went 26-6 overall (14-6 ACC), collecting a share of third place in the final league standings.
This season, the `Canes have been predicted to finish third in the Preseason ACC poll while placing three student-athletes on the Preseason All-ACC Team. Seniors Genny Mayhew (Clovis, Calif.) and Cassie Loessberg (Sacramento, Calif.) picked up Preseason All-ACC nods, as well as sophomore Lane Carico–the reigning ACC and AVCA East Region Freshman of the Year.
Playing for the alumni team will be UM notables such as Francheska Savage (2003-06), Leyre Santaella Sante (2002-03) and Mallorey James (2001-04).
In her career at UM, Savage left her name on several sections of the volleyball records book. She still stands third all-time in career points, amassing 1,591.5, while also ranking fourth in career sets played (422). James is third all-time in UM history for assists (2,025), as well as being listed twice on the all-time list for assists in a single-season–ranking fifth and eighth, respectively. Moreover, James served as the starting setter on Miami’s NCAA Tournament run to the “Sweet 16” in 2002.
Others playing for the alumni squad include recent graduates Bridget Bomhack, Angelica Ellis and Ashley Woods (Master’s Degree) from the 2008 team.
The 2009 season officially gets underway Aug. 28 when UM hosts the Hurricane Invitational (Aug. 28-29) at the Knight Sports Complex. This year’s invitational field includes Florida Gulf Coast, USF and Prairie View A&M.
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.
