@CanesVB Ready For Final Road Trip
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The University of Miami volleyball team hits the road for the final time in the 2013 regular season, traveling to Virginia for a pair of conference matches.
The Canes face Virginia Tech at 7 p.m. on Nov. 8 and will take on the UVA Cavaliers at 7 p.m. on Nov. 9 to wrap up their last trip away from the Knight Sports Complex.
Miami heads into this weekend’s match off a perfect home weekend against a pair of ACC opponents. The Hurricanes beat NC State in three sets on Nov. 1 and took down No. 12 North Carolina in a thrilling five-set victory on Nov. 3.
The Hurricanes’ recent success can be attributed to several key players stepping up in big moments.
Savanah Leaf, who turned in a career-high 25 kills against the Tar Heels, continues to pace Miami’s attack. The junior outside hitter ranks third in the ACC with 3.89 kills/set. Leaf has also been a factor with her serve, ranking second in the conference with 0.37 aces/set.
Senior Alex Johnson has also been a key contributor for the Canes. The right side hitter recorded her 1,000th career kill in the victory over No. 12 UNC, joining two-time AVCA All-American Lane Carico as the only players in Miami history to register 1,000 kills and 1,000 digs in their career.
Defensively, junior middle blockers Emani Sims and Alexis Mourning have combined for 196 blocks on the year. Sims, who ranks fifth in the ACC with 1.25 blocks/set, leads the Canes with 105 blocks on the season. Mourning, who has 91 blocks through 22 matches, is also an efficient hitter, leading Miami with a .343 attack percentage.
Senior Ryan Shaffer continues to anchor the Hurricanes’ back row defense. The veteran libero ranks third in the ACC with 4.57 digs/set and sits just 61 digs behind Miami’s all-time leader Cassie Loessberg’s 2,008 digs.
Sophomore Misty Ma’a has been an all-around contributor for the Canes, ranking among the top five on the team in kills, assists and digs. Ma’a stepped up in her most recent match, turning in 12 kills and eight digs against the Tar Heels.
Setters Blair Fuentez and Caitilin Donahoe have helped keep the Miami attack going. Fuentez came off the bench to record 25 assists in Miami’s win over UNC. The junior ranks fourth in the ACC with 10.14 assists/set. Donahoe also helped Miami in their win over the Tar Heels as the sophomore added 20 assists, six digs and two blocks.
Following this weekend’s trip to Virginia, the Canes return home to face in-state rival Florida State on Wednesday, Nov. 13. The match against the Seminoles is scheduled for 7 p.m. and will be Miami’s first of six consecutive home matches to close out the 2013 regular season.
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).
