ACC Record Six VB Players Earn All-ACC

GREENSBORO, N.C. – Tying an Atlantic CoastConference record, six University of Miami volleyball student-athletes have beenselected to the All-ACC Team, as announced Wednesday by the league. The 18-memberteam was decided based on a vote of the league’s 12 head coaches.

Miamiwas represented by six first-time All-ACC performers: junior outside hitterTaylor Hollins, junior right side Alex Johnson, sophomore middle blocker Alexis Mourning, junior libero Ryan Shaffer, sophomore middle blocker Emani Sims andsenior setter Nrithya Sundararaman.

“Wehave had a tremendous season and to see so many players recognized is a greathonor,” head coach Nicole Lantagne Welch said. “It shows the incredible balanceand how so many people have contributed so much to our team. This has been aspecial year and even the players who are not being recognized have meant somuch to our success.”

Hollinsleads the Canes with 337 kills (3.18/set) this season after moving from the backrow to outside hitter. Posting a team-leading 16 double-doubles, she earned ACCCo-Player of the Week on Oct. 29 following efficient performances againstVirginia Tech and Virginia, where she hit at a .548 clip. Hollins set a careerhigh with 20 kills against Oregon State and is currently second on the teamwith 320 digs (3.02/set). At Duke, she notched 19 kills and 20 digs, including threeslammers in the final four points when the Canes trailed 14-12 in the fifthset.

“Tayloris a great all-around player and does so many great things on the court,”Lantagne Welch said. “She has displayed her excellent ball-handling skills andthe ability to score all season.”

Johnson,who was also named Preseason All-ACC, has started every match in her career forthe Hurricanes. She was selected ACC Player of the Week on Sept. 10 afterrecording 16 kills and 16 digs in the four-set win over No. 6 Florida State athome. Ranking second in the league with an average of 0.40 services aces perset (42), Johnson has eight double-doubles this season and was named HurricaneInvitational MVP at the season-opening tournament.

“Alexis a great offensive player for us on the right side and she is very effectiveand smart on the court,” Lantagne Welch said. “She has made a big step thisyear as far as improving her blocking and is very strong all-around player. Inaddition, Alex has one of the best serves on our team to put the pressure onthe opponent.”

Playingin just 11 matches as a freshman, Mourning emerged this season as a force inthe middle of the net for the Canes. She ranks second on the team with 292kills (2.78/set) and 136 blocks (1.30/set). Also being third in the ACC inblocks, Mourning had 10 total blocks in a win over North Carolina to earn ACCCo-Player of the Week on Oct. 8. The middle blocker has tallied double-digitkills in 15 matches, with a minimum of five total blocks in 16 contests.

“Alexishas had a breakout season and has been a very consistent player for us,”Lantagne Welch said. “She is strong not only attacking effectively in themiddle, but also as a blocker. Alexis has done a very nice job of closingblocks and impacting our defense throughout the season.”

Inthe back row as the libero, Shaffer is second in the conference with an averageof 4.77 digs per set (506) this season. She has led the team in digs in 23matches this year, picking up a season-high 30 against both NC State and BostonCollege. Shaffer ranks fourth in program history with 1,529 digs and is 479 shyof the school record with another season of eligibility remaining.

“Ryanmight actually be the most consistent player on our team,” Lantagne Welch said.”She has had a great season in a position that often receives less recognition.Ryan has been a steadying force in the back row for us with her solid passingand defense. Ryan is a competitive kid that gives a winning effort every night.”

Sims,who was also named Preseason All-ACC, is second in the league with 1.35 blocksper set (143). She has been named ACC Player of the Week on two occasions thisseason, first posting 32 kills on a .500 hitting percentage in home wins overDuke and Wake Forest. At Clemson, Sims broke a school record with 16 blocks togo with 16 kills in a thrilling five-set victory to win the league honor in additionto Collegiate Volleyball Update National Player of the Week. Having at leastfive blocks in 14 matches on the season, Sims leads the team with a .327hitting percentage.

“Emanihas had a very dynamic season out of the middle for us,” Lantagne Welch said. “Herblocking has come on this season and her quickness on the court makes her afeared attacker and also a strong blocker.”

Thelone senior on the roster, Sundararaman has been very effective distributingthe ball around the court for UM. She leads the ACC with 10.68 assists per set(1,100) and recently earned ACC Player of the Week Monday. The setter had 69combined assists in sweeps over Boston College and Maryland, while also puttingdown five kills and seven digs against the Eagles. Sundararaman has had atleast 33 assists in all but two matches, being third in school history with2,257 assists in her career. The neurobiology major was also named to theCapital One Academic All-District, maintaining a 3.90 GPA.

“Nrithyais having the best year of her career and she has found a way to use all of ourweapons and keep a balanced attack,” Lantagne Welch said. “Her unpredictability as asetter this season has made us hard to defend.”

Ledby the six selections from Miami, nine different teams are represented on theAll-ACC Team. The Hurricanes tie Clemson’s 2007 team with the six awardwinners. UM had a five different players earn ACC Player of the Week six timesthis season.

Miami(25-4, 17-2) is currently No. 23 in the ACVA Coaches Poll and will travel toface Florida State for the ACC title Friday at 1 p.m. The match will bebroadcast on ESPN3.

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! – Two-Time selection
# – Three-Time selection
% – Four-time selection