Miami Volleyball Inks Four Fall Signees
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – University of Miami head volleyball coach Jose “Keno” Gandara is excited to announce the signing of four student-athletes that will join the Hurricanes for the 2019 season.
Setter Savannah Vach, outside hitters/ middle blockers Kennedy Prince and Janice Leao, and outside hitter Angela Grieve are the newest members of the Hurricane volleyball program, officially joining the Miami family when they signed their National Letters of Intent Wednesday morning. Gandara is thrilled to see what these four will bring to the program, both on and off the court.
“This is a group of very talented kids who love volleyball and we’re very excited to get started with them,” Gandara said. “We’ve had the opportunity throughout this recruiting process to get to know them more than any other recruiting class.”
Angela Grieve | Outside Hitter | 6’1 | Tequesta, Fla. | South Fork
A four-year letter winner in high school, Grieve registered 395 kills, averaged 6.2 kills per set, and recorded a .418 hitting percentage in her senior campaign. She accumulated a school record of 1,149 career kills and 410 digs. Grieve’s accomplishments earned her First Team All-Area recognition in 2016 and 2017, including 2016 and 2017 Offensive Player of the Year honors. 2016 proved to be a great year for Grieve, as South Fork High School won the State Championship. Grieve served as the team captain in her final two seasons in high school, reached the State Finals in her senior campaign and was named to the FACA All-Star team in 2018.
“We’re excited about Angie’s ability to play the whole game,” Gandara said. “She’s a six-rotation player and dominates the skills in both the front and back row. She’s brings a complete skill package that we’re excited to develop.”
Janice Leao | Middle Blocker / Outside Hitter | 6’3 | New Bedford, Mass. | New Bedford
Leao is a three-year varsity starter who was named a Big 3 Conference All-Star all three seasons. In her junior season, Leao was named theStandard Times’ Girls’ VolleyballPlayer of the Year. Her final two years in high school earned her Division I Mass. Girls’ Volleyball Coaches Association All-Star recognition, while helping her team to a 19-1 record in her junior season and a 20-2 record for her senior campaign. Leao had a standout senior season, finishing with 445 kills and a .596 hitting percentage, while also tallying 96 blocks. She finished her high school career with 956 kills, an impressive .474 hitting percentage and 213 blocks.
“It’s been neat to watch Janice grow up as an athlete and as a volleyball player,” Gandara said. “As a multi-sport athlete, she’s always had this presence on the court and is a great team player. She continues to develop as a player and is not only athletic, but can make changes to her game rapidly. We’re excited for her future here.”
Kennedy Prince | Outside Hitter / Middle Blocker | 6’2 | Richmond, Texas | George Ranch
The talented attacker is a four-year varsity letter winner and captained the Longhorns her junior and senior year. Prince finished her high school career reaching the Regional Semifinals and was named an Under Armour All-American nominee and was the District 23-6A Co-Offensive Player of the Year. Prince finished her high school career with 1,401 kills, 475 blocks, 849 digs and 85 aces.
Prince was named team captain as a junior and was selected to the AVCA All-American Phenom List, was named the All-Area Offensive Player of the Year and led her team in aces (38) and kills (479), earning her Longhorn MVP. The Longhorns were led by Prince in blocks her sophomore year with 197, which earned her All-Area First Team and All-District Team honors.
As a freshman, Prince was part of the Regional Championship team, helped her team reach the State Semifinals and was named the Longhorn Rookie of the Year. Prince was recognized as the District 24-5A Newcomer of the Year and was named to the All-District First Team after recording 286 kills, 100 blocks and 91 digs.
“Kennedy brings a lot of versatility to our team,” Gandara said. “She’s a player that has played many positions. She’s a powerful play who can jump well with a good arm. We’re excited to see her help us in many different capacities.”
Savannah Vach | Setter | 5’10| Winter Springs, Fla. | Oviedo
Vach has racked up plenty of accolades from her high school career, boasting incredible numbers in her senior season with a career-high 402 kills and a .406 hitting percentage. She registered 29 assists and an eye-popping 363 aces, 51 blocks and a career-high 334 digs. Vach’s was a 2x USAV All-American and a 2018 Under Armour First Team All-American before signing with the Canes.
The Winter Springs, Fla., native recorded 318 kills, a .387 hitting percentage, 314 aces and 32 assists. Vach was named a Prep Volleyball All-American, named to the Senior Ace List and was a 2017 National Junior of the Year Finalist. In 2016, the sophomore was named a 2016 Max Preps Underclass All American, recording 267 kills, 343 aces, 262 digs and 52 blocks. Vach earned the same recognition in 2017, helping her earn 2018 Max Preps Preseason All American honors.
“Savannah is a winner,” Gandara said. “She’s won at many levels and continues to develop. She brings a lot of experience to Miami and we’re excited to get her in the gym and work on her skills and help her development.”
Grieve, Leao, Prince and Vach will join a 2019 Canes squad that will feature five sophomores, two juniors and three seniors. Miami still has two matches left of the regular season in 2018 and will honor four-time Preseason All-ACC Team honoree Haley Templeton and the Canes’ most experienced outside hitter Kolby Bird in a Senior Day match against No. 10 Pitt on Sunday at 1:00 p.m.
For 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.
