@CanesVB Digging Pink vs. VT & GT
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The University of Miami volleyball team will look to make an impact on and off the court this weekend.
The Hurricanes, who host Virginia Tech on Friday at 7 p.m. and Georgia Tech on Sunday at 1 p.m., head into this weekend’s matches having won six of their last eight matches. Miami went 2-0 last weekend on a road trip to Syracuse and Boston College, victories that junior Kalysta White feels will build momentum heading into this weekend’s action.
“Winning on the road is really important because we’ve struggled with that in the past,” White said. “We had a really good weekend last weekend and we are excited to be at home with our fans and continue working on what we have been focusing on in practice this week.”
Leading the Canes is reigning ACC Player of the Week Savanah Leaf. The senior was instrumental in Miami’s 2-0 weekend in the Northeast, registering her sixth double-double of the season when she tallied 25 kills and 14 digs in a four-set win over Syracuse and leading the Canes’ attack against Boston College, hitting .382 and recording 17 kills.
A Preseason All-ACC selection, Leaf has been a huge part of Miami’s success in 2014. Her 279 kills lead the Hurricanes and her 4.65 kills/set ranks 12th in the country and is the best in the ACC. Leaf is second on the team in service aces with 18 and ranks third in both digs (141) and blocks (46).
Fellow Preseason All-ACC selection Emani Sims is another key player for the Hurricanes, ranking fourth in the ACC and 34th nationally with a .390 attack percentage. The senior middle blocker leads Miami with 72 blocks and ranks third on the team with 131 kills.
Freshman Haley Templeton paces a potent Miami attack. The freshman setter, who has earned two ACC Freshman of the Week awards in 2014, ranks second in the ACC with 10.77 assists/set. Templeton is also a threat to attack, logging 35 kills on the year, and has recorded 17 services aces on the year.
Junior Taylor Scott, sophomore Kelsie Groot, freshman Sakile Simmons and White round out Miami’s projected starters and each player brings something different to the court.
Scott, an outside hitter, ranks second on the team with 133 kills, while Groot has been an all-around contributor from the right side. Her 129 kills ranks fourth on the team, while she leads the Canes with 19 aces and ranks second with 163 digs.
Simmons has steadily improved as the season progressed. The freshman middle blocker is second on the team with 65 blocks, while White is the team leader in digs with 192.
Brooke McDermott is one of three freshmen who make an impact for the Hurricanes off the bench. McDermott, along with Sylvia Hernandez and Michele Marenus, adds depth to a talented Miami squad that will look to continue to develop as the season progresses.
“I’m excited for this weekend because we are coming off two road wins,” McDermott said. “We have to build off that and work hard to fulfill our goals and win this coming weekend. We can’t focus on how well we did in the past, we need to continue growing as a team going forward and we will look to do that this week.”
While the primary focus is on facing the Hokies and Yellow Jackets, the Canes will also make an effort to help eradicate breast cancer. Miami will play its annual “Dig Pink” match on Friday against Virginia Tech. The Canes will wear pink to raise awareness as the team makes an effort to help find a cure for breast cancer.
“I think it’s really important because we are representing all the women in the world who have had breast cancer,” White said. “It’s great to support them and personally it means a lot to me because women in my family have dealt with breast cancer. I think it’s a great cause.” 
Dig Pink t-shirts will be available for purchase for $10 with proceeds going towards the UM Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center.
“I love being able to build awareness for something that affects thousands of women around the world,” Sims said. “Raising money through women’s sports also shows that we are strong individuals who can persevere through anything. Through our efforts on the court, we hope to encourage many women to continue their fight.”
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.
