CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The University of Miami volleyball team had two players recognized by the American Volleyball Coaches Association as some of the best players in the region.
Sophomore Olga Strantzali and Haley Templeton were named AVCA All-East Coast Region Honorable Mention Tuesday. The duo, who earned All-ACC Second Team honors following the 2015 season, were two of 21 players from the ACC to receive recognition from the AVCA.
Strantzali led the ACC with 51 service aces in 2015. The sophomore recorded an outstanding 0.44 service aces per set that ranks 17th in the country. While Strantzali’s powerful serve was well known, so was her attacking prowess. The gifted outside hitter led Miami with 363 kills on the season, tallying 3.16 kills per set on the season. Strantzali, who recorded eight double-doubles on the season, played some of the best volleyball of her career in 2015. The Greek native set career match highs in services aces and kills, recording six aces against Wake Forest on Nov. 22 and tallying 24 kills against Marquette on Sept. 5.
Templeton receives AVCA All-Region recognition for the second time in her career, following up her 2014 AVCA All-East Coast Region Freshman of the Year honors with an All-Region Honorable Mention. The setter finished the 2015 campaign with eight double-doubles, tying with Strantzali for second most on the team. Templeton, who recorded 1,261 assists on the year, averaged 10.69 assists per set to rank fourth in the ACC. A dangerous server, Templeton ranked second on the Hurricanes with 31 service aces on the season. The Alpharetta, Ga., native set new career highs in assists, recording 56 assists against Duke on Oct. 11 and against NC State on Oct. 16. She also set tied her career-high for service aces in a match,
Strantzali and Templeton played key roles in helping Miami reach the NCAA Tournament for the seventh consecutive season and eighth time in program history. The Hurricanes, who reached the tournament for the third straight season under head coach Jose “Keno” Gandara, fell to Iowa State in the first round of the 2015 NCAA Tournament.
The Canes (21-10, 14-6 ACC), who are 4-8 all-time in the NCAA Tournament, finished the 2015 season with 21 wins. Miami has now won at least 20 games in two straight seasons under Gandara.
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