@CanesVB Adds Three to Incoming 2015 Class
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The University of Miami volleyball program is excited to announce the three newest members of the Hurricane volleyball family.
Miami head volleyball coach Jose “Keno” Gandara announced the additions of Olga Strantzali, Mhairi Agnew and Codi Lee. The trio joins fall signees Lucia Pampana and Kolby Bird to increase the newest crop of Canes to five.
“This is a great day for Miami volleyball,” Gandara said. “The addition of Olga, Mhairi and Codi to an already solid class with Lucia and Kolby, is just incredible. All three bring both youth and experience, but most importantly, they meet the academic standards and are great kids.”
Strantzali is a 6-foot-1 outside hitter from Pylaia, Thessaloniki, Greece, who will transfer to Miami after spending the 2014 season at UCLA. In her lone season with the Bruins, Strantlazi played in 29 matches and made 14 starts. Her 196 kills ranked fourth on the team, while her 2.42 kills/set were third-best. She also ranked second on the team with 18 aces and tallied 23 blocks over the course of 81 sets played.
“Olga is a complete player with a powerful arm and a great competitor,” Gandara said. “Olga not only spent last season at UCLA in the PAC 12, but also has extensive international experience playing with the Greek National team program.”
Prior to UCLA, Strantzali attended Hellenic College of Thessaloniki in Thermi, Thessaloniki, Greece, where she has helped the school to three National School Championships, a third-place finish in the 2014 World School Championship and a fourth-place showing in the 2012 World School Championship. She had 263 kills, 57 aces and 330 points as a senior. She is a member of the Greek National Volleyball Team.
“I feel great,” Strantzali said of joining the Hurricanes. “UM is a top academic school, along with having an awesome volleyball program. Miami has an amazing academic and athletic balance. Also, I loved the coaches and the location of the school, as well as, my visit with the team. I hope to help us win an ACC Championship and have strong appearances in the NCAA tournament. And after I graduate, I want to play professionally.”
Agnew represented Scotland at the 2014 Commonwealth Games and was recently named to the Scottish National Volleyball Team. As a star for Scotland’s U19 team, Agnew was named best blocker and top scorer at the 2014 SCD Junior European Championships. In 2013, she was the vice captain for Scotland West at the UK School Games and she was also named the MVP at the JNL Super Cup while playing for her club team, Su Ragazzi.
“Mhairi is a versatile player who also has international experience playing on the national team,” Gandara said. “She has the athletic ability, the skills and desire to become a dominant player for us.”
Agnew is excited about the opportunity to join the Hurricanes and is eager to begin her career in Coral Gables.
“I am delighted about signing with the University of Miami,” Agnew said. “It’s an amazing university for athletics and academics and this is a superb opportunity! I can’t wait to move to Miami and start this adventure! In my career at Miami I hope to continue to develop as a volleyball player while competing with and against the best players in America. After earning my degree, I plan on pursuing a professional career and I’m aiming to play at the highest level there is.”
Lee is a two-time state champion at The Woodlands High School in The Woodlands, Texas, winning state titles in 2013 and 2014. In 2013, The Woodlands was also named national champion by MaxPreps.
“Codi will add depth to our team as a defensive specialist,” Gandara said. “She comes to UM from one of the top Junior Clubs in Texas. She has the skills, the speed and the drive that we look for in her position.”
As a senior in 2014, Lee amassed 266 digs while helping The Woodlands to a 41-3 record and a No. 7 ranking in the MaxPreps final 2014 Top 25. The 5-foot-3 defensive specialist was named second team All- District following the 2014 season.
“Being able to say I am a Miami Hurricane is something that is still surreal to me to this very day,” Lee said. “I am truly thankful and honored to be able to sign with such an amazing program. I love everything about The U, from the team, the coaches, the campus, everything. Signing with this school has proven to me that I can accomplish anything that I set my mind to, and I am looking forward to starting this exciting new chapter in my life.”
“During my career at Miami, I plan on being a successful student in the classroom and a loyal, hardworking teammate on the court,” Lee said. “Education is important to me, and graduating with a degree from The U will open many opportunities for me in the future. I also want to be a successful athlete in volleyball, giving my very best every time I step onto the court. I plan on graduating with a degree in Business and Marketing.”
Of the five newcomers, three come from Europe. Pampana (Italy), Strantzali (Greece) and Agnew (Scotland) all have experience playing internationally, while Bird and Lee hail from California and Texas, respectively, and have played high-level volleyball in the United States. The five newcomers will add depth to a very talented and successful Hurricane volleyball roster.
“UM is great package for these kids,” Gandara said. “The balance of academics and athletics, combined with this beautiful city, it’s a unique opportunity.”
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.
Miami brings back five of seven starters from the 2014 team. Seniors Taylor Scott and Kalysta White will be joined by junior Kelsie Groot and sophomores Sakile Simmons and Haley Templeton, whom was named the 2014 ACC Freshman of the year, as key returners heading into 2015.
Senior Caitilin Donahoe and sophomores Sylvia Hernandez, Michele Marenus and Brooke McDermott also made contributions for the Hurricanes in 2014, while 2013 All-ACC selection Alexis Mourning is back on the court for her final season after redshirting in the 2014 season.
“We had a great spring and the girls made good progress,” Gandara said of the 10 returners. “It is certainly exciting to add this group to the core we have coming back. I can’t wait to get to work.”
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.
