@CanesVB Opens ACC Play on the Road
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – After playing a strong non-conference slate, the University of Miami volleyball team is set to open ACC play this weekend with a pair of road matches.
The Canes travel to Chestnut Hill, Mass., where they will face Boston College at 1 p.m. Saturday. Miami will head north to Syracuse for a match at 1 p.m. Sunday in the Carrier Dome.
“We are excited,” Miami head coach Jose “Keno” Gandara said. “We have been working hard to get ready for the ACC and we anticipate many battles as we get into conference play.”
The Hurricanes (7-3) are a combined 17-2 all-time against these two squads, going 15-2 against Boston College and 2-0 against Syracuse. Miami won both matches against Boston College in 2012 and will face Syracuse for the first time since 2003 when both programs were members of the BIG EAST.
Miami, who finished second in the ACC a year ago, feature four Preseason All-ACC selections: seniors Alex Johnson and Ryan Shaffer and juniors Emani Sims and Alexis Mourning.
Shaffer, who leads the ACC with 4.95 digs/set, is a big reason why Miami leads the conference in digs. Sims and Mourning have been keys to Miami’s defense at the net, combining for 75 blocks over 10 matches this season.
Johnson, who has started every match of her collegiate career, ranks second on the team in kills (109), digs (108) and service aces (11). Her five double-doubles are tied for the team lead with outside hitter Savanah Leaf. The junior, who ranks fourth in the ACC with 3.89 kills/set, leads Miami in kills (148) and service aces (15).
Setters Blair Fuentez and Caitilin Donahoe have gotten Miami’s attack going, combining for 426 assists in nonconference play. Fuentez, a junior, leads the Canes with 224 assists, while Donahoe has 202 assists in her sophomore campaign.
Sophomore Misty Ma’a has also played a key role for Miami, tallying 44 kills and 69 digs over 26 sets. Senior Julia Giampaolo, sophomores Kelsie Groot and Eryn Croft and freshman Lauren Howard-Chavez round out a talented Miami roster that Gandara believes is getting better every day.
“I am happy with the progress we have made to this point,” Gandara said. “Of course you always want more, but I like the way we are training and preparing for matches. I liked our schedule. We got to play teams that play different styles of volleyball and I think that will help us as we face different ACC opponents.”
Gandara, who is in his first season at Miami, believes the key to success in the conference is continuing with the fundamentals and everyone playing their role.
“We just need to focus on staying healthy and controlling what we control, how we prepare and how we play.” Gandara said. “We need everyone involved in the program to do a good job, top to bottom, and we are excited to get going.”
Following their trip to the Northeast, the Hurricanes will battle a pair of ACC opponents in the South as they travel to Clemson and Georgia Tech in the first weekend of October. Miami’s next home match is scheduled for Oct. 11 against Pitt. The Canes 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).
