@CanesVB Excited for Spring Volleyball
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The University of Miami volleyball team was back on the court Monday, holding the first full squad practice of the spring.
The Hurricanes bring back 10 players from a 2014 squad that finished 22-9 and reached the second round of the 2014 NCAA Tournament, falling to No. 8 Florida in a hard-fought four-set battle. After taking a couple months off after Miami’s sixth consecutive trip to the NCAA tournament, the Canes began working individually in preparation for the coming spring session. Now head coach Jose “Keno” Gandara and his team are focused on improving for the 2015 season.
“I’m happy with the progress we made in the first segment of training,” Gandara said. “We were limited with time, but the girls did a good job of addressing their task lists. Now we get to do it in more of a game-like environment and watch more film and work more with them so we expect to make even more progress.”
Miami will train for the majority of the month of March and part of April. In addition to practicing, the Hurricanes are slated to play in two spring tournaments: playing at Lynn University on March 21 and at Nova Southeastern University on March 28.
A year ago, Gandara had his first full session of spring volleyball since taking over Miami’s program in late March of 2013. The focus last year was to fully implement and improving the team’s understanding of Gandara’s system of play. This spring, Gandara wants his team to focus more on individual development within the system.
“It’s the same process, but a different emphasis,” Gandara said. “We have a bigger group coming back. Last year, we had seven girls and some were coming back from injury. This year, I want every player to individually focus on their improvement and know where their role fits in the system. This spring is about them learning how to address issues that they need to improve on and make as much progress in those areas as they can.”
Miami brings back five of seven starters from the 2014 team. Rising seniors Taylor Scott and Kalysta White are joined by rising junior Kelsie Groot and rising sophomores Sakile Simmons and Haley Templeton, whom was named the 2014 ACC Freshman of the year, as key returners heading into 2015.
“It feels great to be on the floor with the team again,” Groot said. “We’ve been working hard off the court and it’s awesome to already see how that hard work is paying off on the court after just one day.”
Rising senior Caitilin Donahoe and rising sophomores Sylvia Hernandez, Michele Marenus and Brooke McDermott also made contributions for the Hurricanes in 2014, while senior Alexis Mourning is back on the court after redshirting in the 2014 season.
“It’s exciting to be back in the gym with the entire team again,” Mourning said. “We have more time in the spring to focus on getting better and working on improving in the areas we struggled in last season. Spring volleyball means we are one step closer to next season, which is especially exciting for me.”
Gandara is excited to have Mourning back healthy after missing last season due to injury. An All-ACC selection in both 2012 and 2013, Mourning’s ability, experience and leadership will be huge for the Hurricanes in 2015. But Gandara is hoping to see several of his veterans step into the leadership roles vacated by AVCA All-American and 2014 ACC Player of the Year Savanah Leaf and three-time All-ACC selection and 2012 AVCA All-American Emani Sims.
“I expect Alexis to be that leader,” Gandara said. “But I also expect players that have been around like Taylor, Kelsie and Kalysta to step up and be good leaders and good teammates. Whether they are captains or not, they will help us take this team where we need to go. In the meantime, we need our younger girls to learn the ropes and learn how to become leaders. That is part of the spring process, as well.”
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.
