Savanah Leaf Among Top 30 for NCAA WOTY
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The University of Miami’s Savanah Leaf was named one of the Top 30 honorees for the 2015 NCAA Woman of the Year Award.
Leaf was one of two student-athletes nominated by the Atlantic Coast Conference in July for the 2015 NCAA Woman of the Year Award. She is now one of 30 women recognized by the NCAA Woman of the Year selection committee as a Top 30 honoree. From a record 480 school nominees, the committee selected 10 women representing each of the three NCAA divisions and 12 different sports.
“I can think of no one more deserving of this nomination than Savanah,” Miami athletic director Blake James said. “What she achieved on the volleyball court and in the classroom was truly remarkable and, combined with her commitment to the University, local and world communities, she is an inspiration to us all.”
The top 30 honorees reflect the pillars of the Woman of the Year Award, demonstrating excellence in academics, athletics, community service and leadership.
“This year marks the 25th celebration of the Woman of the Year program, and these women continue the tradition of being the best and brightest in college sports,” said Shantey Hill, chair of the selection committee and assistant vice president and senior director of athletics of St. Joseph’s College (Long Island). “This year’s top 30 honorees are outstanding examples for women competing in sports at any level, and we are confident that they will continue to make a difference in the world for many years to come.”
A standout on and off the volleyball court, the Hurricanes’ Leaf joined Quigley as a Capital One Academic All-American. While pursuing a double major in psychology and human development at Miami, she earned distinction on the President’s Honor Roll, the Provost’s Honor Roll, Dean’s List Honor Roll, Athletic Director Honor Roll and UM’s Book Buster Club. She also earned membership in Omicron Delta Kappa, a national leadership honor society, and the National Society of Collegiate Scholars.
Leaf twice earned All-ACC Academic Volleyball Team recognition and is a three-time ACC Honor Roll student-athlete.
“I feel extremely honored,” Leaf said. “I never imagined I would be selected amongst the Top 30 and I am just so excited about this recognition. It feels amazing when you conquer your own battles and are rewarded for your hard work.”
Leaf was named an AVCA Second Team All-American and AVCA East Coast All-Region after an outstanding senior season in which she was named the ACC Player of the Year and to the All-ACC First Team. The San Anselmo, California native finished the season with 4.65 kills/set, ranking 12th in the nation and atop the ACC. The talented outside hitter led the Hurricanes in kills (502) and in points (5.33).
Leaf earned ACC Player of the Week honors three times during the 2014 season. She 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 a when she recorded 31 in a five-set victory over UCF in the first round of the 2014 NCAA Tournament.
“We are very proud of Savanah,” Miami head coach Jose “Keno” Gandara said. “She was an exemplary student-athlete who made an impact on the court, in the classroom and in the community. Savanah has been recognized by the ACC, AVCA, and now the NCAA. It is great to see her close out her career with such great recognition.”
In late September, the selection committee will name nine finalists – three women from each division. The 2015 Woman of the Year, selected by the NCAA Committee on Women’s Athletics, will be announced Oct. 18 at a ceremony in Indianapolis.
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