@CanesVB Travels to Pitt for Key ACC Match
PITTSBURGH – The University of Miami volleyball team has just one match this weekend, but it is a big one.
The Hurricanes (17-7, 10-3 ACC) travel to Pittsburgh to face the Pitt Panthers on Friday at 7 p.m., in a matchup between a Miami team that currently sits in fourth place in the ACC and a Pitt team that is 21-4 (9-3, ACC) and sitting in fifth place in the conference.
“We obviously have a lot of competition and every game counts in the ACC,” captain Savanah Leaf said. “We are up for the challenge. We have been working hard and are ready for it. We have been able to put all of our time and energy into this game and that has been really important for us.”
Leaf is one of two Hurricanes to head into this weekend’s match fresh off earning an ACC weekly award. The senior outside hitter, who leads the ACC and is ranked 11th in the country with 4.64 kills/set, was named ACC Player of the Week for the third time this season, while freshman setter Haley Templeton earned her fourth ACC Freshman of the Week honor.
Templeton has been outstanding in her inaugural collegiate season. The Alpharetta, Ga., native ranks second in the ACC and 40th in the country with 10.94 assists/set. The freshman has also been aggressive with her serve, leading the Canes with 26 aces.
Senior Emani Sims has also been a consistent contributor to Miami’s success in 2014. The middle blocker leads the Hurricanes and ranks fourth in the ACC with a .384 attack percentage. Sims is also just 50 blocks from tying the Miami career total blocks record.
Sophomore Kelsie Groot and junior Taylor Scott enter Friday’s match against Pitt fresh off strong performances in last weekend’s victories over Louisville and Virginia. Groot and Scott each recorded double-digit kills in a sweep over Louisville. Both players stepped up against Virginia, recording double-doubles to help the Hurricanes improve to 11-1 at home on the season.
Sylvia Hernandez rounds out Miami’s projected starters and the Miami native has been active as Miami’s defensive specialist. The freshman combined for 24 digs a week ago, including a team-best 14 against Virginia on Nov. 9.
Freshmen Brooke McDermott and Michele Marenus, as well as senior Blair Fuentez and juniors Kalysta White and Caitilin Donahoe, bring a combination of youth and experience to Miami’s bench. All the Hurricanes will be up to the challenging task of facing Pitt at Fitzgerald Field House, where the Panthers are 11-2 this season.
“We come into the gym every day to get ready to play these teams tough,” Sims said. “Like any other team, we are going to come out and play our best and they will bring their best. We just have to focus on consistently playing the way we want to play.”
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