Hurricanes Set for Spring Campaign
March 7, 2012
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – After an impressive run through the second round of the 2011 NCAA Tournament, the University of Miami women’s volleyball team is back on the courts in preparation for their spring 2012 campaign.
The team, which hosted its annual awards banquet in February, honored members of the team in closing ceremonies. Emani Sims won the Most Improved Award and the 100% Award, Mariel Schofield won the team’s Academic Award (with a perfect grade point average of 4.0 for two semesters), Christine Williamson won the Unsung Hero award, while Lane Carico won Most Valuable Player and Most Inspirational Awards.
In addition, three of the team’s top competitors were honored for breaking program records over the course of their careers; Katie Gallagher (career assists), Ali Becker (career hitting percentage) and Carico (career kills) all received painted volleyballs for their achievements. All four seniors, Becker, Carico, Gallagher and Williamson, received framed jerseys for their contributions to the program’s ascent towards the top of college volleyball.
The team has begun its transition from fall to spring in earnest, having begun practices in preparation for four spring competitions. With the addition of transfer Savanah Leaf (San Jose State) and its main core of returnees, the team has begun what looks to be another promising season in Coral Gables.
Rising juniors Alex Johnson and Taylor Hollins, along with a talented rising sophomore in Sims, will play the most important roles in replacing the Hurricane seniors. Johnson and Sims, who each started all 31 matches for the Hurricanes this past season, blossomed into two of the conference’s brightest stars with their impressive play.
Johnson finished third on the team with 290 kills (2.59 kills per set) and second on the team with 108 assists during a strong sophomore campaign. Sims, in her first season on the court after redshirting 2010, added 215 kills and a team-leading 105 blocks. Hollins will also play an increased role after starting 13 of her 27 matches in 2011, finishing fifth on the team with 234 digs.
Another returnee certain to play a key role for the Hurricanes is rising junior libero Ryan Shaffer. The California native, who built on an impressive freshman season by leading the team in digs as a sophomore (484), competed in every match of the season for the Canes.
The offseason addition of Leaf is a key one for Nicole Lantagne Welch and her staff. The California native, who played her freshman year at San Jose State, led the Spartans with 257 kills in 2011 and finished second with 230 digs.
The team’s four spring competitions include a home battle with Miami-Dade College on March 10 (10 a.m.), a tournament at UCF beginning March 24, an April 7 home match, and a trip to the Siesta Key Fiesta on Siesta Beach Championships April 14.
For more information on Miami Hurricanes Volleyball, make sure to check in with HurricaneSports.com.
