@CanesWBB Hosts Va. Tech in Play 4 Kay Game

Virginia TechatNo. 18/17 Miami

The Game
The Hurricanes, ranked No. 18 in The Associated Press Poll and No. 17 the USA TODAY Coaches Poll, will play their first home game in two weeks Sunday against Virginia Tech. Miami is set to square off against the Hokies at 4 p.m. at the BankUnited Center in Coral Gables, Fla., in its Play 4 Kay game.

The Series
Miami holds a 15-6 edge in the all-time series against the Hokies after winning each of the past nine meetings. The Hurricanes picked up a 57-45 road victory at Virginia Tech earlier this season on Jan. 28.

The Team
Eight Hurricanes are back from a team that reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament in 2014-15. That group includes a trio of starters who are now the team captains: junior guard Adrienne Motley, a Naismith Trophy Early Season Watch List and Dawn Staley Award Mid-Season Watch List selection, junior guard Jessica Thomas and redshirt senior guard Michelle Woods.

One of the eight returnees is redshirt junior forward Keyona Hayes, who missed last season due to an ankle injury after leading the team in rebounding in 2013-14. The Hurricanes also have a quartet of sophomores in forward/center Erykah Davenport, guard Nigia Greene (redshirt sophomore), forward Keyanna Harris and forward Khaila Prather.

Additionally, Miami has five new players in the fold this season in guard Laura Cornelius, forward/center Emese Hof, forward/center Zada Williams, guard/forward Shaneese Bailey and guard Neydja Petithomme. Bailey and Petithomme are sitting out this season as transfers from Florida Atlantic and Auburn, respectively.

The Coach
Katie Meier, in her 11th season in Coral Gables, Fla., has led Miami to great heights during her tenure. Since 2009-10, the Wheaton, Ill., native has directed the program to its greatest six-year stretch ever, making the postseason in all six years, with four NCAA Tournament appearances. This season, Meier has already guided the Hurricanes to their sixth 20-win campaign in the past seven seasons.

Meier has guided Miami to 62 victories in ACC play since the start of the 2010-11 season, the second-most of any team in the conference. The 2010-11 AP National Coach of the Year  is in her 15th season as a head coach, spending the first four at Charlotte, and owns a career record of 280-184, including 204-139 at Miami.

The Opponent
The Hokies are 15-11 (3-10 ACC) on the season after posting a 12-1 mark in nonconference competition. Two Virginia Tech players average double figures in scoring, with senior forward Hannah Young at 10.3 points per game and junior forward Sidney Cook at 10.0. Freshman guard Chanette Hicks’ 4.3 assists per game place her seventh in the ACC. The Hokies boast the top scoring defense in the conference, allowing just 52.7 points per game.

Last Time Out
Miami dropped just its second true road game of the season Feb. 14 in South Bend, Ind., falling 90-69 to third-ranked Notre Dame. The Hurricanes forced the Fighting Irish into 23 turnovers in the defeat and tallied seven blocked shots, their second-most of the season. Thomas and Hof led the Hurricanes with 12 points apiece, while Prather set or tied career highs in points (six), blocks (three), steals (three) and field goals made (three). Greene scored eight points in her return to the court after missing the previous 14 contests due to injury.

Up Next
The Hurricanes will complete their lone two-game ACC homestand Thursday, Feb. 25 when they take on No. 11/11 Louisville at 7 p.m. at the BankUnited Center. The game will serve as senior night for Woods.

Promotions
As is the case for all women’s basketball games at the BankUnited Center this season, youth 12-and-under will receive free admission. Team posters, schedule cards and new rules infographics will be available at the marketing table by the main entrance. The first 300 fans who arrive and stop by the table will receive a free pink rally towel.

Former Miami star and current assistant coach Octavia Blue will have her jersey retired prior to the game, becoming the fourth player in program history to receive the honor.

The Heroines Choir, a group of breast cancer survivors, will be performing the national anthem before the game.

The second annual Dessert Wars will take place prior to the game from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the Multipurpose Room across from the BUC. Dessert Wars costs just $15 and the price includes a ticket to the game. Additional information can be found at DessertWarsMiami.com.

Also taking place before tipoff is the UCheer and UDance Clinic, which will be held from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Knights Sports Complex. The event, which is open to participants from kindergarten through eighth grade, costs $20 and includes a ticket to the game. Pre-registration is available HERE until 5 p.m. Friday and then walk-ups can register for $25 between 1 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. Sunday. For more information, contact Leah Gross at leahgross@miami.edu.

Fans in attendance can show their ticket at Carolina Ale House within 24 hours of the game to receive six free wings.

In advance of Woods’ Senior Night, fans can record a message for the Naples, Fla., native to be played to her. A video shoot will be set up outside Section 113 from 3:15 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Additionally, there will be a chalk talk for season ticket holders in the Hurricane 100 Room prior to the game. The talk will begin at 2:45 p.m. and doors open at 2:30 p.m.