@CanesVB Travels to Triangle for Two Matches
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The University of Miami volleyball program heads to North Carolina for a pair of matches in the heart of ACC territory.
The Canes (13-5, 6-2 ACC) will face Wake Forest at 8:30 p.m. Friday in a match that will be broadcast on ESPN3. A day later, they travel to Durham, N.C., for a 6:30 p.m. battle against the Duke Blue Devils.
Miami’s attack, which ranks 37th in the nation with 13.87 kills/set, is led by junior Savanah Leaf. The outside hitter is fourth in the ACC with 3.86 kills/set. Leaf has recorded at least 15 kills in 11 matches this season, helping her attain a team-leading 266 kills on the year.
Senior Alex Johnson and junior Alexis Mourning are two other key hitters for Miami. Johnson, who has started every match in her collegiate career, ranks second on the team with 194 kills. Mourning’s 153 kills are third on the team, but she also makes a difference defensively as her 74 blocks are second to junior middle blocker Emani Sims’ 83.
Setter Blair Fuentez gets the Canes offense going. The junior ranks fourth in the conference with 10.52 assists/set and has recorded at least 33 assists in 13 of 14 career starts. She also has recorded a service ace in her previous eight matches heading into this weekend.
Senior defensive specialist Ryan Shaffer leads the Canes with 318 digs. She ranks second in program history with 1,880 digs, just 128 behind leader Cassie Loessberg’s 2,008. Sophomore Misty Ma’a has also been a key contributor for the Canes, tallying three double-doubles on the year.
Following this week’s trip, Miami returns home for the first time since Oct. 13. The Canes will host NC State at 7 p.m. on Nov. 1. Two days later, the Hurricanes will host North Carolina at 1 p.m. in the Knight Sports Complex.
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).
