Strantzali Tabbed 2017 ACC Volleyball Scholar-Athlete of the Year
CORAL GABLES, Fla. — The University of Miami’s Olga Strantzali was named the 2017 ACC Volleyball Scholar-Athlete of the Year, while Haley Templeton and Hannah Sorensen joined her on the All-ACC Academic Team, as announced by the league Wednesday.
Miami was one of the seven ACC programs with three or more student-athletes on the 2017 All-ACC Academic Team, as Strantzali, Templeton and Sorensen earned three of the 37 spots.
“We are obviously very proud of Olga, Haley and Hannah,” Miami head coach Jose “Keno” Gandara said. “We emphasize the importance of all-around success to our players and these three student-athletes are excellent examples of people who do just that. They work hard to succeed in their sport, in the classroom and at anything they do.”
Strantzali, who graduated in December with a bachelor’s degree in public relations, was also the 2017 ACC Volleyball Player of the Year. The three-time All-ACC Academic honoree also earned a minor in marketing and has made the Athletic Director honor roll and the Dean’s List at Miami.
“This is a special award for me,” Strantzali said. “I always tried to succeed on the court and in the classroom, so it means a lot to be able to represent Miami as the ACC Scholar-Athlete.”
In addition to her success in the classroom, Strantzali finished her career as one of the greatest Hurricane volleyball players in program history. Strantzali is the program’s all-time leader in service aces with 142. She also ranks third all-time in kills, second in kills per set, fourth in points and second in points per set despite playing just three seasons in Coral Gables.
Strantzali had a memorable farewell season with the Canes, leading the Hurricanes to a 22-6 record and a trip to the second round of the NCAA tournament. At the end of the season, the senior outside hitter led the ACC in kills (499), kills per set (4.54), points (568.0), points and points per set (5.16), while also ranking second with 43 service aces (0.39 aces per set). Her consistency and ability to decide matches as a Hurricane earned Strantzali a second straight AVCA All-America Honorable Mention recognition. Last month, Strantzali signed her first professional contract with the Beziers Angels, the current leaders of France’s top division.
A native of Greece, Strantzali is one of only two Hurricanes to be named ACC Volleyball Scholar-Athlete of the Year, ACC Player of the Year and AVCA East Coast Region Player of the Year in the same season. Miami volleyball standout Savanah Leaf accomplished the same feat following her senior season in 2014.
“Olga, from the moment she got here, has been excellent,” Gandara said. “Greatness doesn’t tend to discriminate; superior people tend to be good in all facets of their day. The fact that Olga was the ACC Player of the Year and the ACC Scholar-Athlete of the Year is a perfect example of her greatness. She spoiled us every day with her ability, her intelligence and her character and we’re so proud to be associated with her as she goes on to do some pretty special things in our sport and in her life.”
A triple major in economics, finance and marketing, Templeton earned the second All-ACC Academic honor of her career. After missing all but three matches in 2016 due to injury, Templeton returned to the court as a redshirt junior and put together an outstanding 2017 campaign. The setter was named to the All-ACC First Team and AVCA All-East Coast Region team after recording 1,172 assists (10.75 assists per set) and tallying 31 service aces. The Alpharetta, Ga., native ranks third in program history with 3,671 assists and is eighth in UM history with 98 service aces. She is a four-time Book Buster and Athletic Director’s Honor Roll recipient.
“It means so much to be able to represent the University on the court, as well as in the classroom,” Templeton said. “I wouldn’t have been able to do this without the support from my coaches who always push us to work harder in the classroom.”
A creative advertising major, Sorensen earned All-ACC Academic honors for the second straight year. The sophomore setter was primarily a serving substitute for Miami in 2017, but she excelled in that role. Sorensen finished the season third in the ACC in with 0.36 service aces per set and ran second on the team with 39 service aces. The Sandy, Utah, native also showed she could perform on a big stage, recording a season-high four service aces in Miami’s NCAA tournament win over College of Charleston. Sorensen is a two-time Book Buster and Athletic Director’s Honor Roll recipient and has also made the Dean’s List.
“It’s exciting to be named All-ACC Academic again,” Sorensen said. “All of our coaches ask of us is to give our best effort in everything we do. Sometimes it’s tough with the busy schedule during the season, but our coaches know how important success in the classroom is and our professors and academic support staff are really helpful as we try to excel in volleyball and in our studies.”
The ACC Scholar-Athlete of the Year awards were established in September of 2007 to be awarded annually to the top junior or senior student-athlete in their respective sports. Candidates for the awards must have maintained a 3.0 grade point average for their careers, as well as a 3.0 for each of the last two semesters.
Minimum academic requirements for selection to the All-ACC Academic Team are a 3.0 grade point average for the previous semester and a 3.0 cumulative average during one’s academic career. Athletic achievements during the most recent season are also considered in selecting the All-ACC Academic Team.
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