MADISON, Wisc. – The University of Miami volleyball team travels to Wisconsin to compete in the HotelRED Invitational this weekend.
The Canes will play three matches in Madison, facing last year’s national runner-up Wisconsin, as well as Ball State and Missouri State. The host Badgers are currently ranked fourth in the latest AVCA poll and will be playing in their home opener on Friday at 7 p.m. against the Hurricanes.
“This will be a great test for us in a great volleyball environment,” Miami head coach Jose “Keno” Gandara said. “I believe it comes at the right time and our players are up to the challenge. “
Miami opens at the HotelRED Invitational on Friday at 8 p.m. ET. The Hurricanes will play two matches on Saturday, facing Ball State at 11 a.m. ET and closing out against Missouri State at 6 p.m. ET.
Junior Kalysta White is familiar with the Badgers, having spent the previous two seasons playing at Minnesota. The defensive specialist, who leads the ACC with 0.50 aces/set and is third in the ACC with 4.06 digs/set,
“I am really excited to go back there and it will be interesting to play in a BIG TEN gym again,” White said. “Wisconsin is a great team and they bring out really great crowds. The atmosphere is really fun to play in because there are so many people and it’s really loud. I am excited to get a chance to play them and see what we can do.”
Facing a team like Wisconsin is a challenge for any program, but Miami will have to overcome the additional excitement of playing against the Badgers in their home opener.
“We have to embrace the atmosphere,” White said. “There are so many people and they’re all cheering against you. It can be nerve wracking at first, but you have to embrace the atmosphere and let it motivate you.”
Two standout seniors lead Miami into Madison and both head into the weekend after receiving accolades. Savanah Leaf was named one of 30 candidates for the Senior CLASS Award in women’s volleyball. Leaf ranks 24th in the nation with 4.90 points/set and is 37th in the country and third in the ACC with 4.20 kills/set.
“I feel really honored,” Leaf said of her nomination. “I really appreciate that someone would select me for this. It motivates me to work even harder this year.”
Emani Sims heads into the HotelRED Invitational fresh off an all-tournament performance at the TCU NIKE Invitational. The middle blocker ranks fifth in the ACC with a .393 hitting percentage and is 10th in the conference with 1.29 blocks/set. Sims is looking forward to the competition the Canes will face in Wisconsin.
“I think it is always good to go against really good teams and good competition because that’s the true test,” Sims said. “It really shows you the things as a team that we still need to work on and things that we are starting to improve at. Playing good teams is always going to make you better and it’s always going to bring out the really competitive side of you.”
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