@CanesVB's Haley Templeton Named ACC FOTW
GREENSBORO, N.C. – University of Miami setter Haley Templeton earned her fifth ACC Freshman of the Week honor, the conference announced Monday.
Templeton had an outstanding match in her return to her home state of Georgia, distributing 46 assists and adding 12 digs, four kills, two blocks and an ace against Georgia Tech on Nov. 26. The Alpharetta, Ga., native recorded her fifth double-double of the season and also surpassed the 1,000-assist mark for the season, registering just the tenth 1,000-assist season in program history. Two days later, Templeton dished out 39 assists, adding five digs and a kill against No. 8 Florida State in the regular season finale.
“I am excited for Haley, “Miami head coach Jose “Keno” Gandara said. “It has been funt o see her grow as a player and as a setter. She has a good week. We played really well at Georgia Tech and she did a good job at Florida State, even though we didn’t play our best match. She is becoming a better leader on our team, too.”
Templeton has been impressive as a freshman, tallying 1,047 assists (11.02/set) over 29 matches this season. The 6-foot setter has also been a threat to attack, notching 59 kills on the season, and her 27 service aces lead the Hurricanes.
“I’m ecstatic,” Templeton said. “I never thought I could do this as a freshman. My goal was to win it once and to get it five times has been amazing. I am so happy I have been able to help my team this year and that they have been able to help me accomplish this.”
Templeton has accomplished several noteworthy feats this season. The freshman has recorded at least 20 assists in 28 of Miami’s 29 matches this season, including a career-high 53 assists four times (9/13 vs. Ball State, 9/20 vs. Missouri, 10/5 vs. Florida State and 10/10 at Syracuse). Templeton has at least one service ace in 15 of 29 matches this season and has recorded her career-best three on five separate occasions (9/6 vs. Prairie View A&M, 9/19 vs. UNCG, 9/26 vs. Notre Dame, 11/7 vs. Louisville and 11/9 vs. Virginia).
The Hurricanes (21-8, 14-4 ACC) earned one of the 64 spots in the 2014 NCAA Division I Women’s Volleyball field. Miami, who finished tied for third in the ACC, will face UCF at 4:30 p.m. on December 5 in their first round match of the 2014 NCAA Tournament. The winner of that match advances to face the winner of No. 8 Florida and Alabama State.
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