All-American Emani Sims Signs Pro Contract
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – Former University of Miami volleyball star Emani Sims signed her first professional contract and will play in Germany’s Bundesliga in 2015.
Sims came to terms with Rote Raben, a professional team in Vilsbiburg, Germany. Sims is scheduled to leave for Vilsbiburg, which is about 30 minutes away from Munich, on Tuesday. The standout middle blocker will beginning training with her new team shortly after she arrives in preparation for a 2015 season that is set to begin in October.
“I’m excited but it’s just a weird and surreal feeling,” Sims said. “After being nervous about studying abroad and being in Europe in the summer of 2014, I quickly got over the feeling of nervousness and fell in love with it! It wasn’t as hard being away from my family because I was surrounded by familiar people that I knew. However, I know being in another country for about 10 months will be a different challenge.”
Sims received AVCA All-America honorable mention in recognition for her stellar play in 2014, the second AVCA All-America recognition of her career after earning a third team selection in 2012. She is excited about the opportunity to continue playing the sport she loves while experiencing a new and different culture.
“I’m just looking forward to making the most of the experience since I’m blessed to have the opportunity,” Sims said. “This is yet again another unexpected life path that I’ve gone down. But it gives me an opportunity to continue being an athlete at a high level, which I love doing. I feel that all the training and life lessons I’ve learned at Miami have prepared me well, mindset included.”
A leader on and off the court for Miami, Sims earned the second AVCA All-Region selection of her career this season. The senior captain led Miami with a .372 attack percentage that ranked third in the ACC and 41st in the country. Her 136 blocks are a team-best, while she finished second on the team in points (2.92) and fourth in kills (226) and service aces (16).
“We are excited for Emani,” Miami head coach Jose “Keno” Gandara said. “It’s an important day for us at Miami because it’s an important day for her. We knew she had the potential and desire to play professionally. She has the tools to be successful for as long as she wants to play and we look forward to tracking her as she takes the next step in her career.”
A Preseason-All ACC honoree, Sims earned her third consecutive First Team All-ACC honor in 2014. She was named All-Tournament at both the HotelRED Invitational and the TCU NIKE Invitational. This season, Sims had outstanding match-highs of .733 attack percentage (Nov. 26 at Georgia Tech), 16 kills, (Sept. 13 vs. Ball State), and 12 blocks (Nov. 23 at Boston College). The Glenview, Ill., native is one of the most decorated players in UM history, earning Third Team AVCA All-America honors in 2012.
“Thinking of Emani, the first thing you think of is somebody that is really explosive,” Gandara said. “Having played overseas myself, one of the things that I am sure is very enticing to any team is her explosiveness. We appreciated that, but most importantly we appreciated the type of person and student-athlete she was here. We are proud of her and excited to call her a Cane.”
Sims was also an excellent student, wrapping up an outstanding career at the University of Miami with her third All-ACC Academic selection in 2014. Sims earned her second degree from the University of Miami, graduating in May with a master’s in public relations to go with her bachelor’s degree in advertising.
“I’ve read a lot of blogs about athletes playing abroad and have gotten plenty of advice from other girls that have played volleyball and other sports overseas so I think I’m as ready as I’m going to be,” Sims said. “I’ve heard there are trying times and you have to have a lot more disciplined, but in the end it’s the most fulfilling experiences that teach you a lot about yourself. I’ve already connected with two ladies that live in Munich, one being a good friend of mine and old club volleyball teammate, so I’ll be able to call and visit them all the time to get adjusted.”
Miami opens the 2015 season on August 28 against Illinois State. The match, which begins at 7 p.m., is the first of three the Hurricanes will play in the season-opening Hurricane Invitational at the James L. Knight Sports Complex on the University of Miami campus.
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