@CanesVB to host No. 17 FSU and UVA
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – It’s Homecoming Week at the University of Miami and the Hurricanes volleyball team with host a pair of ACC foes in No. 17 Florida State and Virginia.
This week’s matches against the rival Seminoles and Cavaliers are the first two of a six-match homestand. Miami will host the rival Noles at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 4, and the visiting Cavs on Friday, Nov. 6, at 7 p.m.
While Friday’s match is the first time the Hurricanes will face Virginia this season, Wednesday’s rivalry match against Florida State will be the second meeting between the two talented teams this year. On Sept. 23, the Hurricanes and Seminoles opened ACC play with a five-set thriller. Florida State defended its home court, but the Canes had four players record double-digit kills in the exciting ACC opener.
Senior Taylor Scott led Miami with 20 kills against the Seminoles on Sept. 23 and the talented outside hitter has been one of Miami’s most consistent hitters this season. Scott, who ranks 10th in the ACC with 3.28 kills per set, is second on the team with 246 kills. She also has had success with her serve, recording 19 aces on the season.
Olga Strantzali, who tallied 17 kills the last time out against FSU, leads all Hurricanes with 265 kills this season. The sophomore also has a very effective serve, recording a team-best 33 aces. Her 0.39 service aces per set ranks third in the conference, while her eight double-doubles lead all Canes this season.
Kelsie Groot is another key player for Miami, ranking in the Top 3 on the team in kills, assists and digs. Groot recorded her seventh double-double of the season last weekend, when she tallied13 kills and 15 digs, as well as a team-high .414 attack percentage, in a victory at Virginia Tech.
Miami features a trio of middle blockers led by senior Alexis Mourning. A team captain, Mourning ranks eighth in the ACC with a .358 hitting percentage that is third-best in a single season in UM history. She is also the Hurricanes’ leader in blocks with 89. Joining her in the middle are sophomore Sakile Simmons and Lucia Pampana. Simmons led the Hurricanes in blocks in their win at Virginia Tech last weekend, while Pampana is second on the team with 49 blocks this season.
Setter Haley Templeton keeps Miami’s offense running smoothly. The sophomore ranks third in the ACC with 10.32 assists per set and has dished out a career-high 56 assists twice this season. Templeton also has been dangerous with her serve, ranking second on the Canes with 23 aces.
Senior Kalysta White has been Miami’s primary libero this season and she leads the Canes with 329 digs. White also has 15 service aces on the year, rounding out the group of five Hurricanes to tally at least 15 aces.
Additionally, Miami has gotten contributions from freshmen Kolby Bird and Anna Haak. Both newcomers have been key reserves for the Hurricanes lately, while sophomore Sylvia Hernandez and Codi Lee have provided solid passing off the bench. Senior Caitilin Donahoe and sophomores Michele Marenus and Brooke McDermott have also stepped up when head coach Jose “Keno” Gandara has called their names.
In addition to watching exciting volleyball action, the first 300 students to arrive at Wednesday night’s match against Florida State will receive a special shirt sponsored by Category 5.
Following this weekend’s matches, Louisville, Notre Dame, Duke and Wake Forest will also travel to Miami during the six-match homestand that runs through Nov. 22. All Miami home matches are played at the James L. Knight Sports Complex on the University of Miami campus and admission is free.
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.
