Savanah Leaf Signs Professional Contract
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – All-American Savanah Leaf signed a professional contract with Sariyer Belediyespor in the Turkish First League.
Leaf, who graduated in December, becomes the first Hurricane to sign a professional contract since the arrival of head coach Jose “Keno” Gandara prior to the 2013 season. Turkey’s First League is one of the most competitive in the world, featuring standouts Yeon Koung Kim, Jordan Larson and Eleonora Lo Bianco among its players.
“We are excited for Savanah,” Gandara said. “She was one of the top players in the country this year and we look forward to watching her continue to grow and develop as she takes the next step in her volleyball career.”
Following a stellar senior season, Leaf was named to the American Volleyball Coaches’ Association All-America Second Team, becoming the third Hurricane in program history to earn a spot on an AVCA All-America Team. Lane Carico was Miami’s first AVCA All-American, earning third team honors in 2010 and second team honors in 2011. Emani Sims, who was named AVCA All-America honorable mention in 2014, was a third team selection in 2012.
Leaf was selected to the AVCA East Coast All-Region Team after an outstanding season that resulted in being named ACC Player of the Year and to the All-ACC First Team. The San Anselmo, Calif., native finished the season with 4.65 kills/set, ranking 12th in the country and atop the ACC. A talented outside hitter, she led the team in kills (502), kills/set (4.65) and points (5.33), while ranking second in attack percentage (.312), service aces (27) and digs (266), and third in blocks (83). She also led the Canes with 13 double-doubles during the 2014 season.
A Preseason All-ACC pick, Leaf was a three-time ACC Player of the Week during the 2014 season. She also joined an elite club at the University of Miami, surpassing 1,000 kills for her career. Leaf, who ranks fifth in program history with 1,194 kills, also set the program record for kills in a match and kills in an NCAA Tournament match when she recorded 31 kills in a five-set victory over UCF in the first round of this year’s tournament.
Despite playing just three years at Miami, Leaf’s name is all over the Hurricane volleyball record book. Her 4.65 kills/set this season ranks second-best in a single season in program history. Leaf’s 575.5 points in 2014 rank second in UM history, while her 5.33 points/set are third-best in a single season. Leaf finished her career ranking fifth in program history with 1,194 kills and ranks ninth in program history with 87 service aces.
A standout on and off the court, Leaf was named to the 2014 Capitol One Academic All-America Second team. A stellar student that was named First Team Academic All-District earlier this year, Leaf has earned a 3.89 cumulative GPA while pursuing a double major in psychology and human development. She earned distinction on the President’s Honor Roll in Spring 2013 for her perfect 4.0 semester GPA, as well as the Provost’s Honor Roll (3.75 GPA), Dean’s List Honor Roll (3.5 GPA), Athletic Director Honor Roll (3.2 GPA) and UM’s Book Buster Club (3.0 GPA) in Spring 2012, Spring 2013, Fall 2013 and Spring 2014. Leaf is a member of Omicron Delta Kappa, a national leadership honor society, and the National Society of Collegiate Scholars. Furthermore, she was named to the 2013 All-ACC Academic Volleyball Team and is a two-time ACC Honor Roll student-athlete.
The Hurricanes (22-9, 14-4 ACC) reached the second round of the 2014 NCAA Tournament, falling to No. 8 Florida in a hard-fought four-set battle. Miami reached the second round for the third time in program history. The Canes, who are 4-7 all-time in the NCAA Tournament, earned their first NCAA Tournament victory since 2011 when they beat UCF in five sets on Dec. 5. The win was also the first NCAA Tournament victory in head coach Jose “Keno” Gandara’s head coaching career.
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.
