@CanesVB Ready for Clemson & No. 5 FSU
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The University of Miami volleyball team will host a pair of ACC foes this weekend as Clemson and No. 5 Florida State travel to Coral Gables.
The Canes will face a pair of talented teams at the Knight Sports Complex. Clemson, who plays Miami on Friday at 7 p.m., is 11-3 on the season, while Florida State is 13-0 and one of only five undefeated teams in the country. Head coach Jose “Keno” Gandara knows his team is facing a challenge, but believes Miami is ready to compete against the Tigers and Seminoles.
“We have a big match against Clemson on Friday and Florida State is a really good team,” Gandara said. “They’ve been doing well. We are going to have to bring our ‘A’ game this weekend, but I like our chances. I think we have been playing well. They are definitely tough matchups and good teams.”
Miami features several standouts on its 2014 roster, including senior captains Savanah Leaf and Emani Sims, as well as freshman Haley Templeton.
Leaf has been one of the top hitters in the conference, ranking second in the ACC with 4.30 kills/set. An all-around player, Leaf leads Miami with three double-doubles this season, including a 18-kills, 15-dig performance in a four-set victory over 2013 SEC champion Missouri.
“We know we needed to change some things, especially after our Duke match,” Leaf said. “We know we need to be more consistent and bring the same passion to every match. We have been trying to work on the little things and build off them to get more consistent.”
Sims has also been a force for the Canes, ranking third on the team with 97 kills and leading Miami’s hitters with a .395 attack percentage. The middle blocker is also a stellar defender at the net, leading the Hurricanes with 51 blocks (1.13/set).
Templeton has been a fantastic freshman, guiding Miami’s offense to several strong showings. The setter heads into this weekend off a huge performance against Notre Dame and Duke. Templeton was named ACC Freshman of the Week after she had 48 assists and five service aces over two matches last weekend. The Alpharetta, Ga., native leads the Canes with 15 aces on the season and ranks fourth in the ACC with 10.53 assists/set.
While Leaf, Sims and Templeton have been stellar early on, Miami features a deep roster that has contributed in a variety of ways in 2014.
Junior Taylor Scott ranks second on the team with 98 kills, while sophomore Kelsie Groot is fourth with 93 kills. Groot is also active on defense, ranking second on the team with 103 digs.
Freshman Sakile Simmons has been efficient on offense, ranking third among the team’s hitters with a .279 attack percentage. The middle blocker is also active at the net defensively, ranking second on the team with 46 blocks.
Junior defensive specialist Kalysta White leads the Canes with 137 digs, while Miami also gets contributions from senior Blair Fuentez, juniors Caitilin Donahoe and Misty Ma’a, and freshmen Sylvia Hernandez, Brooke McDermott and Michele Marenus.
Friday’s match against Clemson is set to begin at 7 p.m. and Sunday’s match versus the rival Seminoles begins at 2 p.m. Admission is free to both matches.
“It’s always really exciting,” Leaf said. “I love playing FSU. They’re a great time with some really good players. We will be facing some amazing competition this weekend in Clemson and Florida State. The main thing is focusing on ourselves and playing the way we want to play. There will be a big crowd and an exciting atmosphere but we have to keep our composure and stay consistent with out style of play.”
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.
