@CanesVB Adds Three Newcomers
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – Miami head coach Jose “Keno” Gandara announced the addition of three student-athletes to the Hurricane volleyball program.
Kalysta White, Michele Marenus and Kyrena Dudley are the latest additions to the 2014 incoming class. The Hurricanes will have eight newcomers on the 2014 roster.
“Kalysta, Michele and Kyrena are a great addition to an already well-rounded roster,” Gandara said. “I am really excited about this group. We will have competition at every position and a good mix of experience and youth.”
White is a transfer from the University of Minnesota where she was a member of the Golden Gophers’ volleyball team for two years. As a sophomore in 2013, White saw action in 13 sets, recoding an ace, 13 digs and an assist. A native of Laguna Beach, Calif., White will be a junior when she joins the Hurricanes and is expected to play defensive specialist.
Marenus is a Miami, Fla., native, coming to UM from Our Lady of Lourdes Academy. As a senior, Marenus recorded 295 kills, 175 digs and 40 aces while earning All-Dade first team honors. Marenus will be a freshman when she arrives at Miami and is expected to play as a defensive specialist.
Dudley played her prep volleyball at Incarnate Word Academy in Bellaire, Texas. As a senior in 2013, she tallied 222 kills, 99 aces and 68 blocks. Dudley was also named a 2013 AAU Volleyball Academic All-American. She will be a freshman when she joins the Hurricanes and is expected to play as an outside hitter.
White, Marenus and Dudley join fall signees Sylvia Hernandez, Brooke McDermott, Sakile Simmons and Haley Templeton, as well as transfer Taylor Scott, to make up the 2014 Miami volleyball incoming class.
In addition to the eight newcomers, the Canes feature seven returners from the 2013 squad that reached the NCAA Tournament for the fifth consecutive season.
Blair Fuentez, Savanah Leaf, Alexis Mourning and Emani Sims make up a senior class that Gandar will look to lead the Hurricanes in his second season in Coral Gables. Leaf and Sims were 2013 All-ACC first team selections, while Mourning was a 2013 All-ACC second team honoree.
Also returning for Miami are juniors Caitilin Donahoe and Misty Ma’a and sophomore Kelsie Groot. The trio is expected to make an impact for Miami as they look to return to the NCAA Tournament in 2014.
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