@CanesVB Ready for NIKE Invitational
NORMAN, Okla. – The University of Miami volleyball team hits the road this weekend for one final non conference tournament before opening up ACC play.
The Canes (5-2) travel to the Midwest for a trio of matches at the NIKE Invitational on the University of Oklahoma campus. Miami will play three matches over two days, opening Friday at 1 p.m. against Nebraska-Omaha. The Hurricanes face the host Sooners at 8 p.m. Friday and take on Tulsa at 11 a.m. Saturday.
“This weekend will be another good test,” Miami head coach Jose “Keno” Gandara said. “We play three matches in two days. We will play good teams. We will see how much we learned from the LSU series and we get a chance to get a little better.”
Miami enters this weekend’s NIKE Invitational fresh off a home series against the LSU Tigers. While the Canes suffered a tough loss in the series opener, Miami took the second match to split the series. Gandara believes last weekend’s matches helped his team prepare for the future.
“The LSU series confirmed that we are working on the right things,” Gandara said. “We have to find consistency in our approach day-to-day and play-to-play in order to get consistent results from match-to-match. LSU, like any other good team, will battle and if you don’t sustain your level of play, you will pay of it.”
The Canes are led by seniors Alex Johnson and Ryan Shaffer, whom both played in their 100th career match during the LSU series. Juniors Emani Sims, Alexis Mourning and Savanah Leaf also play a big role in Miami’s success.
Johnson, who has started every match in her collegiate career, ranks second on the team in kills (84), service aces (9) and digs (87). Shaffer, who has 149 digs on the season to lead the Canes’ back row defense, ranks third all-time in program history with 1,711 digs. She sits just four digs behind former two-time AVCA All-American Lane Carico, whom had 1,715 digs from 2008-11.
Sims, Mourning and Leaf are a trio of juniors who have made a big difference on the front line. Sims and Mourning rank first and second on the team with 29 and 27 blocks, respectively, while Leaf leads all Canes with 113 kills so far this season.
Miami’s success goes beyond those five, with the Canes getting key contributions from setters Caitilin Donahoe and Blair Fuentez, as well as outside hitters Misty Ma’a and Kelsie Groot. Getting quality play from so many different players has Gandara excited about where his team could go over the course of the season and beyond.
“We have come a long way, both individually and as a team,” Gandara said. “But we still have ways to go to get where we want to be. I am both happy with our progress and excited by the potential and possibilities.”
While Miami is excited to open conference play next week, Gandara knows the team would not be prepared for ACC play without playing a competitive non conference schedule.
“We need the reps and the competition so we need 10-12 matches in per season,” Gandara said. “It is also great for our team to go through the game day routines and preparation. That helps because it is like getting ready for an ACC match.”
The Hurricanes will open ACC play on Sept. 28 at Boston College. Their next home match is scheduled for Oct. 11 against Pitt. Miami will host the Panthers at 7 p.m. at the Knight Complex.
Miami volleyball season tickets are available for $35. Canes fans can also purchase a combined season ticket package for volleyball and soccer for $50. Single-game volleyball tickets are just $5 for adults and $3 for youth (Ages 3-17). For more information or to purchase tickets, visit CanesTix.com or call 305-284-2263.
For all the latest information on Miami Hurricanes volleyball, follow the official Twitter feed, @CanesVB, or “Like Us” on Facebook at facebook.com/UMVolleyball. The program is also on Instagram (CanesVB).
