@CanesVB Hosting Pitt and Virginia Tech
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The University of Miami volleyball team returns to its home court this weekend for a pair of ACC matches, hosting Pittsburgh and Virginia Tech.
The Hurricanes (7-11, 1-5 ACC) welcome Pitt (13-5, 4-2 ACC) to the James L. Knight Sports Complex at 7 p.m., on Friday, while Virginia Tech (8-9, 3-3 ACC) is scheduled to face the Canes at 1 p.m., on Sunday.
Olga Strantzali has been one of the best attackers in the country in 2016. The junior leads the ACC and ranks 11th in the NCAA with 4.62 kills per set. Her 305 kills also sit atop the ACC and rate 19th in the country. Strantzali also has a dangerous serve, recording an ACC-high 29 aces (0.44/per set) that rank 24th in the country.
Anna Haak and Kolby Bird are two other attackers at the pins for Miami. Haak ranks second on the team with 181 kills and 12 service aces and 161 digs, while Bird’s 103 kills are third-best for Miami, as are her attack percentage (.205) and her total blocks (37). Bird is tied with Haak for second on the Canes with 12 services aces.
Miami has a talented trio of middle blockers, led by sophomore Lucia Pampana. The team leader in blocks with 57, Pampana is also Miami’ most efficient attacker, hitting a team-best .318 for the season – good for 10th in the ACC. Junior Sakile Simmons is another force in the middle, tallying 42 blocks, while freshman Madison Dill has provided a spark in reserve.
Hannah Sorensen runs the Canes offense from the setter position, distributing 323 assists on the year. The freshman ranks seventh in the ACC with 9.79 assists per set.
Sylvia Hernandez anchors Miami’s back row, recording a team-best 218 digs as the libero. Miami has also received contributions from several defensive specialists including junior Alyssa Basdavanos, sophomore Codi Lee and freshmen Sara Duque and Carly Davey.
Following this weekend’s action, the Canes will wrap up a three-match homestand with a Wednesday night match against Florida State at 7 p.m., on Oct. 19. Miami will then travel to face Virginia at 7 p.m. on Oct. 22.
All Hurricanes volleyball home matches are played at the James L. Knight Sports Complex on the University of Miami campus. Admission is free. For a complete look at the Hurricanes’ 2016 schedule, click here.
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.
