@CanesVB Ready for Trip to Wake Forest
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – The University of Miami volleyball team plays just one match this weekend, facing Wake Forest on Friday at 6 p.m.
The Canes will face the Demon Deacons in the first of three consecutive road matches in North Carolina. Miami is slated to return to North Carolina next weekend, facing UNC on Oct. 31 and NC State on Nov. 2. Sophomore Kelsie Groot believes Miami’s four-match winning streak has given the Canes momentum heading into Winston-Salem.
“I think we have really good energy going in this weekend,” Groot said. “We have been playing well. We just have to remember what we have been working on in practice and focus on those keys as we head into this match against Wake Forest.”
Groot has been an all-around contributor for Miami, leading the Canes with 21 aces and ranking second in digs (184) and fourth in kills (140) and blocks (41).
While Groot has been a key component to Miami’s success, senior Savanah Leaf has been instrumental in the current four-match winning streak.
Leaf was named ACC Player of the Week for the second consecutive week after a strong showing against Virginia Tech and Georgia Tech. The senior recorded her team-leading seventh double-double against the Hokies, tallying 18 kills and 11 digs. Two days later, Leaf became the eighth player in Hurricane histroyt o reach the 1,000-kill mark in their Miami career.
A Preseason All-ACC selection, Leaf has been a huge part of Miami’s success in 2014. Her 313 kills lead the Hurricanes and her 4.67 kills/set is the best in the ACC and ranks 12th in the NCAA. Leaf is second on the team in service aces with 20 and ranks third in both digs (160) and blocks (52).
Fellow senior Emani Sims has also been a huge contributor for Miami. The middle blocker ranks fourth in the ACC with a .385 attack percentage. Sims, who ranks third on the team in kills with 145, is a force defending at the net. Her 80 blocks lead the Hurricanes.
Freshman middle blocker Sakile Simmons is also an active defender at the net, ranking second on the Canes with 75 blocks. Her seven blocks in Sunday’s 3-0 win over Georgia Tech rank third in program history in a three-set match.
Haley Templeton is another fantastic freshman for the Hurricanes. The setter, who ranks second in the ACC with 10.81 assists/set, has twice been named ACC Freshman of the Week this season.
Juniors Taylor Scott and Kaylsta White round out Miami’s projected starters. Scott ranks second on the team with 148 kills, while White is the team leader in digs with 212.
Freshmen Michele Marenus, Brooke McDermott and Sylvia Hernandez, as well as senior Blair Fuentez and juniors Caitilin Donahoe and Misty Ma’a, provide depth for the Hurricanes heading into their match against the Demon Deacons.
Following this one match trip to Winston-Salem, Miami will return to North Carolina next weekend for matches against UNC and NC State. The Hurricanes will face the Tar Heels on Oct. 31 at 6 p.m., while Miami’s match against NC State is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Nov. 2.
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.
