2003 Volleyball

HURRICANE VOLLEYBALL
2003
2003 Volleyball
Contents
Hurricane Volleyball Quick Facts
Head Coach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nicole Lantagne Welch
Alma Mater/Year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Maryland/1994
Record at UM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44-13 (3rd season)
Overall Record . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44-13 (3rd season)
Starters Returning & Lost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-1
Letterwinners Returning & Lost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-3
Office Phone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (305) 284-5765
Email . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [email protected]
Assistant Coach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Erik Olson
Alma Mater/Year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . UW-Milwaukee/1997
Assistant Coach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . April Yantis
Alma Mater/Year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Drexel/1998
Athletic Trainer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Steve Spiro
Strength & Conditioning . . . . . . . . . . . Dave Richardson
Asst. A.D./SWA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Connie Nickel
2002 Record . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27-6 (10-3 BIG EAST)
2002 Final Ranking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23rd
Conference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . BIG EAST
Location . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Coral Gables, Florida
Home Facility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Knight Sports Complex
Capacity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,200
Nickname . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hurricanes
Website . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.hurricanesports.com
Asst. A.D./Communications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mark Pray
Volleyball SID . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Josh Maxson
Volleyball SID Contact . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Scott Moody
SID Phone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (305) 284-3230
SID Email . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [email protected]
SID Mailing Address . . . . . . . . . . 5821 San Amaro Drive
Coral Gables, FL 33146
Numerical Roster
No.
1
2
4
5
7
8
10
11
14
15
16
17
19
21
25
57
Player
Position Height Class
Mallorey James
S
5-8
JR
Jennifer Vance
OH
6-0
FR
Francheska Savage
MB
6-0
R-FR
Ciara Michel
MB
6-4
FR
Ashley Youngs
OH
5-10
JR
Leyre Santaella Sante OH
5-10
SR
Valeria Tipiana
OH
6-1
JR
Robin Lewullis
MB
6-1
SO
Ann Gallo
DS
5-5
FR
Karla Johnson
MB
6-1
SO
Margie Young
S
5-7
SO
Jamie Grass
L
5-8
JR
Sara Duncan
OH
6-0
FR
Kaitlin Kozak
DS
5-4
SO
Elizabeth Tyson
OH
5-10
JR
Jill Robinson
S
5-8
FR
Hometown/High School
Tucson, Ariz./Salpointe HS
Tampa, Fla./Sickles HS
Ft. Myers, Fla./Ft. Myers HS
Miami, Fla./Palmer Trinity HS
West Palm Beach, Fla./Lake Worth HS
San Juan, Puerto Rico/Acedemia Marie Reina
Lima, Peru/Cristo Rey HS
Allentown, Pa./Central Catholic HS
Wheaton, Ill./Wheaton North HS
Houston, Texas/Westfield HS
Santa Monica, Calif./Marymount HS
Manhattan Beach, Calif./Mira Costa HS
Naples, Fla./Barron Collier HS
Huntingdon, Pa./Huntingdon HS
Jacksonville, Fla./Bishop Kenny HS
Merced, Calif./Golden Valley HS
Alphabetical Roster
No.
19
14
17
1
15
21
11
5
57
8
4
10
25
2
16
7
Player
Position Height
Sara Duncan
OH
6-0
Ann Gallo
DS
5-5
Jamie Grass
L
5-8
Mallorey James
S
5-8
Karla Johnson
MB
6-1
Kaitlin Kozak
DS
5-4
Robin Lewullis
MB
6-1
Ciara Michel
MB
6-4
Jill Robinson
S
5-8
Leyre Santaella Sante OH
5-10
Francheska Savage
MB
6-0
Valeria Tipiana
OH
6-1
Elizabeth Tyson
OH
5-10
Jennifer Vance
OH
6-0
Margie Young
S
5-7
Ashley Youngs
OH
5-10
Class
FR
FR
JR
JR
SO
SO
SO
FR
FR
SR
R-FR
JR
JR
FR
SO
JR
Hometown/High School
Naples, Fla./Barron Collier HS
Wheaton, Ill./Wheaton North HS
Manhattan Beach, Calif./Mira Costa HS
Tucson, Ariz./Salpointe HS
Houston, Tex./Westfield HS
Huntingdon, Pa./Huntingdon HS
Allentown, Pa./Central Catholic HS
Miami, Fla./Palmer Trinity HS
Merced, Calif./Golden Valley HS
San Juan, Puerto Rico/Acedemia Marie Reina
Ft. Myers, Fla./Ft. Myers HS
Lima, Peru/Cristo Rey HS
Jacksonville, Fla./Bishop Kenny HS
Tampa, Fla./Sickles HS
Santa Monica, Calif./Marymount HS
West Palm Beach, Fla./Lake Worth HS
Quick Facts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
2003 Season Outlook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-3
Head Coach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Assistant Coaches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Valeria Tipiana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Mallorey James . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Biz Tyson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Robin Lewullis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Karla Johnson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Jamie Grass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Margie Young, Kaitlin Kozak . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Ashley Youngs, Frannie Savage . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Leyre Santaella Sante/ Newcomers . . . . . . . . 14
Newcomers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15-16
2002 In Review . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17-19
Team Statistics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20-21
Hurricanes in the Nation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
Hurricanes in the BIG EAST . . . . . . . . . . . .23-24
Administration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25
The University . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
Academics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27
Compliance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28
Medical . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29
Strength and Conditioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30
South Florida . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31
Athletic Department Mission Statement . . . .32
Quick Facts
Founded . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1925
Enrollment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14,978
Location . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Coral Gables
Campus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 260 Acres
President . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Donna E. Shalala
Web . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.miami.edu
Students
Undergraduate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9,794
Graduate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,321
Professional . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,863
Women . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59%
Men . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41%
Student/Faculty Ratio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13:1
City of Coral Gables
Founded . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1925
Population . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43,000
Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Square Miles
Web . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . citybeautiful.net
City of Miami
Founded . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1896
Population . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 362,470
Metro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.3 Million
Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34.5 Square Miles
Web . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ci.miami.fl.us
Pronunciation Guide
Ciara . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Key-air-UH
Lantagne . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lan-TANE
Leyre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lay-DAY
Lewullis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Loo-ullis
Marcela . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mar-sell-uh
Margie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Mar-gi
Tipiana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tip-E-ah-na
Valeria . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vuh-lehr-E-uh
Credits
The 2003 University of Miami Volleyball Media Guide
was written and edited by Luke Eggleston, David Cruz,
Scott Moody, Todrick Moore, Etta Schaller and Doug
Walker.
Design: Etta Schaller and Todrick Moore
Printing: FranklinTrade Graphics
Photos: J.C. Ridley, Del Brown, Joe Koshollek
1
HURRICANE VOLLEYBALL
2003
2003 Outlook
Hurricane Volleyball 2003
Expectations will be high for a Miami volleyball team that returns
almost all it’s personnel from last season’s impressive NCAA Regional
Semi-finalists, including BIG EAST Player of the Year Valeria Tipiana and
BIG EAST Setter of the Year Mallorey James.
Last season, Miami was runner-up in the BIG EAST Conference
Championship, made the NCAA Tournament and advanced to the regional semifinal, against Nebraska. Head Coach Nicole Lantagne Welch, who
will be in her third year as a head coach, says that this edition of
Hurricanes volleyball has the potential to surpass even last season’s enormous accomplishments.
“I expect us to have a great year,” Lantagne Welch said. “We should
compete for the conference championship and advance to the NCAA
Tournament and anything can happen there. We know that as well as
anybody. I think our improved schedule can only help us come BIG EAST
Tournament and NCAA Tournament time by giving us more challenges
early and often.”
Rugged Road
One way to measure the Hurricanes’ success is their record against the
nation’s elite, those teams that vied for collegiate volleyball’s top prize –
the NCAA Championship.
In 2002, the Hurricanes defeated five of the six tournament-qualifying
teams they faced including Florida State, South Florida, Wisconsin, Duke,
and Notre Dame (UM split with the Irish, defeating them in the regular
season and falling to them in the BIG EAST Championship final). This season, the Hurricanes brace for an even more competitive schedule that
includes 11 teams that qualified for the NCAA Tournament team last season.
“As we were building this program, we knew that we wanted to get
a stronger schedule year in and year out,” Lantagne Welch said. “You hit
a point where you have a great team like we did last fall and you want to
push your team a little bit more and raise the bar. That means that you’ve
got to play better teams week in and week out as much as you can. I really think that it makes you a better team if you can play a higher level of
competition more often.”
Among the rugged non-conference clashes the Hurricanes have scheduled are matches against Santa Clara, which finished the 2002 season
ranked No. 19 in the American Volleyball Coaches Association polls, and
Arizona, which finished ranked No. 10. South Florida, which the
Hurricanes scheduled for a 2003 rematch, finished 2002 having received
votes for a ranking and won the Conference-USA Championship. Santa
Clara finished second in the West Coast Conference.
Other tournament teams that the Hurricanes will face are
Northwestern and Indiana of the Big Ten; Manhattan (Metro-Atlantic
Athletic Conference Champions); George Mason (Colonial Athletic
Association Champions); Central Florida (Atlantic Sun Conference
Champions); and Florida A&M (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference
Champions). The non-conference slate of former tournament teams also
includes regional rivals Florida State and Florida International.
“I think our match with FIU is always a tough battle where we get
their best every time,” Lantagne Welch said. “That should be a fun in-city
rivalry match.” Last season’s five-game win over Florida State marked a
turning point in the season, as the young Hurricanes overcame a convincing two-game deficit against the veteran Seminoles.
Also on the list is another tough conference schedule that includes a
home match against Virginia Tech on Saturday, Nov. 15. Last season, the
Hokies dealt the Hurricanes their only three-game loss. UM avenged the
loss in the BIG EAST Championship when they dispatched the Hokies in
five games.
“I think we have a great rivalry with (Virginia Tech),” Lantagne Welch
said. “We went up there and lost a tough one. We were able to play them
again and got our revenge. That will be fun to have them come down
here. They’re similar to us in a lot of ways because their coach has only
been there for a couple of years so in a way, he’s been building. I think we
have similar types of teams so it makes for some great matches.”
The Hurricanes will face conference-power Notre Dame Nov. 10 at
South Bend, Ind.
“I think when we ended their streak last year, that woke them up and
jolted them a bit,” Lantagne Welch said. “They realized that they may
not just walk over teams in our conference anymore. I think that we
should both have good teams year in and year out and that will always
be a tough match for both of us and a tough rivalry down the stretch.”
Hurricanes by Position
Setter
In their first season of conference play, the Hurricanes quickly established excellence at the setter position. Coach Nicole Lantagne Welch was
herself an All-Atlantic Coast Conference setter during her playing days at
Maryland and has a proven record of developing quality setter play
throughout her career.
“The setter runs the show on the court,” Lantagne Welch said. “They
need to make smart decisions day in and day out on every single point
and that has to happen fast. The best setters create one-on-one situations
for their hitters, which means that they only have one blocker against
them rather than two. So the setter is faking out the middle blocker as
much as possible.”
The setter position is a demanding position that requires a player to
wield considerable volleyball shrewdness. The role of the position is similar to a basketball point guard or a quarterback.
“They need to run plays in order to maximize our strengths against
the opponent’s weaknesses in terms of defense at the net,” Lantagne
Welch explained. “So there’s a lot going on in your setter’s head and they
have to formulate a lot very quickly to be effective.”
The Hurricanes feature unusual depth at the setter position. Miami
not only returns BIG EAST Conference Setter of the Year Mallorey James,
but also solid reserves in Margie Young and incoming freshman Jill
Robinson.
An outside hitter in high school, James’ game is flexible enough to
attack or defend. James led the conference in assists per game (12.82) and
finished the season 29th in the nation. She was also on the AVCA AllNortheast Region First Team. According to Lantagne Welch, the hallmark
of a superior setter is her ability to lead and communicate. James is perhaps the most vocal player on the court for Miami.
Sophomore Margie Young was also a high-impact player in 2002.
Against arch-rival Florida State, Young tied a BIG EAST Conference record
2
HURRICANE VOLLEYBALL
2003
2003 Outlook
for assists in a match as the Hurricanes upset the Seminoles in five games.
While she lacks James’ vocal leadership and height, the team responds
well to Young’s competence and her quiet example.
“Margie is more of a quiet setter,” Lantagne Welch said. “She gets in
and gets the job done. But, again, that’s part of the difference between a
freshman and a sophomore, too. One’s more comfortable having been
around, so she’s going to be more vocal. It’s also just part of their personalities.”
In addition, perhaps the Hurricanes’ highest profile recruit this season
is Merced, Calif., native Jill Robinson, a 5-foot-8 setter from Golden Valley
High School. Lantagne Welch feels that Robinson has the ability to push
for playing time with the Hurricanes immediately this season and will
likely push both James and Young in the preseason.
“I think she (Robinson) is going to come in and really battle,”
Lantagne Welch said.
Outside Hitter
The loss of outside hitter Marcela Gamarra will be difficult for the
Hurricanes to recoup. Gamarra led Miami in kills (4.04 per game, fourth in
the BIG EAST Conference), was one of three Hurricanes who earned a
spot on the First-Team All-BIG EAST, was an AVCA All-Northeast Region
selection, and was selected to the Verizon Academic All-District 3
Volleyball Second Team.
“I think we’re going to miss the steadiness of Marcela,” Lantagne
Welch said. “She’s such a great teammate and she’s such a great person to
have on the team. She always provided harmony because of who she is.”
Fortunately, the Hurricanes return star outside hitter Valeria Tipiana
(Lima, Peru), who will bear strong consideration as an All-America candidate.
The BIG EAST Player of the Year, Tipiana was selected twice as the BIG
EAST Player of the Week and was the tournament MVP at both the
Wichita State Tournament and the Florida International Fall Volleyball
Classic. She was also the conference’s only unanimous selection to First
Team All-BIG EAST and was one of the three Hurricanes selected to the
AVCA All-Northeast Region First Team. Tipiana was the Hurricanes’ most
efficient offensive weapon, converting kills from attacks at a rate of .303.
She was second on the team in kills per game (3.95) and was fourth on
the team in digs per game (2.74).
Another emerging force for the Hurricanes was sophomore outside
hitter Biz Tyson. Among the team leaders in kills per game, Tyson’s accuracy improved by leaps and bounds in the postseason where she posted
“All-American numbers,” Lantagne Welch noted.
After hitting for just .136 in the BIG EAST Tournament semifinal win
over Virginia Tech, Tyson strafed Notre Dame with 16 kills on 31 attacks in
the loss. Against Duke, Tyson hit for a percentage of .265 (second on
team). Then, in the Hurricanes’ critical match against Wisconsin at the
NCAA Tournament, Tyson throttled the host Badgers with a match-high
.514 hitting percent and a match high-tying 19 kills. With continued
improvement, Tyson has the potential to emerge along side Tipiana as
one of the premier outside hitters in the BIG EAST Conference.
Ashley Youngs was the Hurricanes’ first option off of the bench in
2002 and provided badly needed depth for the young team. She played
in more games than any other non-starter (68 games in 28 matches). She
had a career-high seven kills and 15 attacks (.400 hitting percentage) in
the Hurricanes’ convincing three-game sweep of Providence College.
Youngs performance in the Hurricanes’ spring scrimmages showed that
she may be ready to take over a starting spot at outside hitter.
Also entering the mix will be Leyre Santaella Sante, a transfer from
Central Florida who was a star in the Atlantic Sun Conference. Santaella
Sante was the 2002 Atlantic Sun Player of the Year and was a six-time
conference player of the week for the Crusaders.
Two new outside hitters, Jennifer Vance and Sara Duncan, may also
make an impact on this season’s team.
She finished the season fourth in the BIG EAST in blocks average (1.29)
and had several dominant performances, especially in conference play.
Lantagne Welch also said that redshirt freshman Frannie Savage will figure strongly in the Hurricanes’ rotation of middle blockers.
“Frannie is probably one of the hardest hitters on the team,”
Lantagne Welch said. “She’s very quick and she hits the heck out of the
ball. We’re excited about getting her in game-like situations and really
seeing what she can do.”
Six-foot-four middle Ciara Michel arrives on campus as the tallest player for the Hurricanes in her first season of collegiate play. According to
Lantagne Welch, Michel’s height is something that the Hurricanes sorely
need, but she is also impressed with the Palmer Trinity product’s athleticism and fluid movement.
Libero and Defensive Specialist
Jamie Grass pioneered the NCAA’s new libero position last season for
the Hurricanes and was cited by the coaching staff as one of the
Hurricanes’ best players. In 2003, Grass will likely compete for the BIG
EAST Conference’s new Libero of the Year award. Grass was presentedwith the team’s Co-MVP Award.
Other defensive specialists are returner Kaitlin Kozak and newcomer
Ann Gallo.
Last season, Kozak provided the Hurricanes with a spark off the
bench. The coaching staff describes Gallo as a fiery, competitive player
recruited for her defensive skills and athleticism.
The Bottom Line
With an extraordinary 2002 season behind her team, Lantagne Welch
feels that the future promises even more success for Miami.
“I think the biggest thing is that we finally have a team with a lot of
experience,” Lantagne Welch said. “It’s going to be fun to see this group
that’s been working together for a long time put everything in place and
really take it to the next level. It’s exciting that our schedule is tougher
and we’re going to be tested early and often.”
The experience the team has gained should also result in a more balanced attack overall with the middle blockers figuring more heavily in the
Hurricanes’ offense.
“I think we’ll have many different weapons and different players
leading us on different nights so a team will have to stop more than just
one or two players,” Lantagne Welch said. “It’s going to be the most balanced we’ve been offensively.”
Middle Blocker
Despite an overall lack of size, the Hurricanes’ middle blockers performed well during the 2002 campaign. Following the spring campaign,
Lantagne Welch indicated that she felt the Hurricanes may get more
offensive production out of their middles in the fall.
“Our middle attack has gotten a lot better and I think that will be a
much bigger part of our offense this year especially because we had
freshmen in there and now they will have a whole year under their
belts,” she said.
Karla Johnson was twice selected as the BIG EAST Co-Rookie of the
Week and had stretches in which she was among the more dominant
middles in the conference. She averaged 1.01 blocks per game and led
the Hurricanes with a hitting percentage of .310 (sixth in the BIG EAST
Conference).
Robin Lewullis emerged as the team’s most consistent middle blocker.
3
HURRICANE VOLLEYBALL
2003
Head Coach
Nicole Lantagne Welch
University of Maryland ‘94
Third Year at Miami
Nicole Lantagne Welch is entering her third season as the University of Miami women’s volleyball
head coach. Under the guidance of Lantagne Welch,
the volleyball team has rapidly emerged as a BIG
EAST Conference contender in just two seasons.
Proven Record
Lantagne Welch’s record speaks for itself. In the
Miami volleyball program’s second year of competitive play, Lantagne
Welch led the Hurricanes to their first-ever Sweet 16 appearance in the
NCAA Tournament, a 27-6 record, and a final ranking in the top 25.
The Hurricanes were competitive against some of the top programs
in the nation, recording wins over five of the six NCAA Tournament-qualifying teams they faced in 2002. Miami defeated Wisconsin, Duke, South
Florida and Florida State. The Hurricanes split with Notre Dame and fell
to Nebraska in the NCAA regional semifinal in Lincoln.
Lantagne Welch also coached the 2002 BIG EAST Player of the Year
Valeria Tipiana as well as the BIG EAST Setter of the Year Mallorey James.
Both James and Tipiana, as well as Marcela Gamarra, earned spots on the
AVCA All-Northeast Regional Team, while Lantagne Welch was selected
as the AVCA Northeast Region Coach of the Year.
Among the Hurricanes’ other highlights was a home victory over a
Notre Dame team that hadn’t lost to a conference opponent in 43
matches, and a 26-match win streak that wrapped around from the 2001
season. UM also won a dramatic five-game win over Virginia Tech in the
BIG EAST Conference Championship Semifinal.
Lantagne Welch said the team’s most satisfactory accomplishment in
2002 was its second-round win over Wisconsin in the Wisconsin Field
House.
Pioneering the First Season
On February 28, 2000, University of Miami Athletic Director Paul Dee
proclaimed the return of women’s volleyball as the Hurricanes newest
fully funded varsity sport at UM. On September 12, 2000, Dee took the
next major step in the evolution of the program by announcing the hiring of Nicole Lantagne Welch as head coach of the Hurricanes.
Winning History
A native of Encinitas, Calif., Lantagne Welch grew up in a family
where volleyball has been a major part of their livelihood. Her parents,
Joe and JoAnn, own and operate a highly regarded volleyball scouting
service that evaluates high school players, covering the regions of
California, Nevada and Arizona. Lantagne Welch’s sister, Jenelle Duvall,
was an All-American at the University of Pittsburgh and served as an
assistant coach at Northern Arizona and Northern Illinois. She also served
as head coach at Metro State College of Denver.
Lantagne Welch played at the University of Maryland from 19901993. As a four-year starting setter, she guided the Terrapins to their
first-ever Atlantic Coast Conference Championship and an automatic
berth to the NCAA Championships in 1990. As one of the top collegiate
setters, Lantagne Welch garnered first-team All-Atlantic Coast
Conference honors in 1992 and 1993, and earned second-team honors in
1991. She was also named AVCA National Player of the Week (Oct. 12,
1993), following an upset victory over Florida State.
As the team’s captain her final two seasons, Lantagne Welch finished
her outstanding collegiate career as Maryland’s all-time assists, digs, and
matches played leader. Throughout her career at Maryland, Lantagne
Welch accumulated various academic honors including ACC Honor Roll
and district academic All-America as a senior. She graduated in 1994 with
a Bachelor of Science degree in business marketing. For her accomplishments as a student-athlete, Lantagne Welch was recently named to the
Atlantic Coast Conference 50th Anniversary Volleyball Team along with
five other Terrapins from teams of the 1990’s.
Lantagne Welch began her coaching career in 1994 as an assistant
coach on the Maryland staff before becoming a graduate assistant coach
at Ohio University in 1995. At Ohio, she developed training sessions for
setters, assisted in the scouting of opponents and in the development of
game plans.
Lantagne Welch arrived at Miami after serving as an assistant coach
at Texas A&M since 1997. During her three seasons at Texas A&M, the
Aggies finished ranked in the Top 20 and qualified for the NCAA
Tournament each season (97-99). In 1999, Texas A&M advanced to the
elite eight of the NCAA Tournament, compiling a 28-6 record and a No. 9
final ranking.
Under Lantagne Welch’s training, Aggie setter Jenna Moscovic was
named the 1999 Big 12 Conference Freshman of the Year and named to
the All-American Freshman Team by Volleyball Magazine. As a sophomore, Moscovic was selected to the 2000 All-Big 12 team and All-District
5 team. Lantagne Welch also played a major role in bringing the Aggies
two consecutive top 10 recruiting classes. The 1999 recruiting class was
ranked in the top 10 by Student Sports Magazine and in 1998, the
recruiting class was ranked sixth in the nation by Volleyball Magazine.
Entering her third season at the helm of the program, Lantagne
Welch is eager to lead Miami’s most experienced team into conference
and national contention. With her extensive background in recruiting
and her experience as a Division I coach, Lantagne Welch is prepared to
take Miami volleyball and build it into a BIG EAST power and a national
contender.
On June 8, 2002, Head Coach Nicole Lantagne married Wesley Paul
Welch of Denver City, Texas, in her hometown of Encinitas, Calif.
Nicole Lantagne Welch
Born . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . April 3, 1972
Hometown . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Encinitas, Calif.
Alma Mater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Maryland ‘94
Season . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3rd
Record at UM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44-13
Overall Record . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44-13
Coaching Experience
2000-Present . . . . . . . . Head Coach University of Miami Coral Gables, Fla.
1997-00 . . . . . . . Asst. Coach Texas A&M University College Station, Texas
1995-96 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . G.A. Coach Ohio University Athens, Ohio
1996 . . . . . . . . . . . . Head Coach Athens Volleyball Program Athens, Ohio
1994-95 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Volunteer Assistant
University of Maryland College Park, Md.
Playing Experience
1990-93 . . . . . . . . . . . . . Setter University of Maryland College Park, Md.
4
HURRICANE VOLLEYBALL
2003
Assistant Coaches
Erik Olson
April Yantis
University of Wisconsin Milwaukee ‘97
Third Year at Miami
Drexel ‘98
Third Year at Miami
Assistant Coach Erik Olson enters his third season
on the University of Miami’s women’s volleyball
coaching staff. Olson’s responsibilities include offcampus recruiting, scouting coordinator and equipment coordination.
His primary coaching responsibilities include the
middle blockers and blocking in general.
“Erik has been an outstanding addition to our
staff,”said Lantagne Welch. “He brings an unmatched work ethic along
with a strong volleyball background as both a player and a coach.”
A native of Milwaukee, Wis., Olson began his career as a player at the
North Shore Milwaukee Volleyball Club where he played for two years
(90-91). In his first year with the club, he assisted the team to the 18under AAU Bronze Medal and the following season to the 19-under AAU
National Championship title.
Olson began his college career at the University of WisconsinMilwaukee where he played from 1991-1995. As the team captain his senior year, Olson ranked in the top five in almost every career statistical category and finished his career with the Panthers as the No. 1 blocker.
In 1994, Olson began his coaching career at Marquette University
High School as founder of the boys’ volleyball program. He compiled a
45-16 overall record during his three years at MUHS, while guiding the
school to a conference championship in 1995. In 1997, Olson was hired as
the Shorewood High School girls’ varsity volleyball head coach where he
spent the next three years rebuilding a winless program. During his
tenure at Shorewood, Olson led the school to the 1999 Regular Dual
Conference Championship title and a No. 7 WIAA state ranking.
In his eight years as a head coach at the high school and club level,
Olson has coached 16 All-Americans, 25 All-Conference players, two conference MVP’s, eight FAB 50 picks, 13 Division I scholarship players, and
the starting setter of the 1999 USA Boys’ Youth National Team.
In 1995, Olson fittingly returned to the North Shore Milwaukee
Volleyball Club, but this time as a head coach and in 1998, as the CoDirector. Under the leadership of Olson, the boys’ Junior Olympic volleyball program became one of the top volleyball clubs in the country. Olson
continued to coach and co-direct the club until his hiring at the University
of Miami.
Olson was selected as an assistant coach of the 2000 USA Men’s Junior
National Team at the Olympic Training Center in Lake Placid. The team
took a bronze medal at the NORCECA Championships in Cuba. He also
was the Co-Head Coach of the 1999 Boys’ USA National High Performance
Camp at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo. Olson
returned to the University of Milwaukee-Wisconsin in 2000, where he
began his collegiate coaching career as an assistant coach.
During his one season with the Panthers, UWM received an at-large
berth to the NCAA Division I Women’s Volleyball Tournament and was
seeded 11th in the Mideast Region. Last season, the Panthers won their
fifth-straight regular season Midwestern Collegiate Conference championship, while compiling an 11-1 conference mark, and were tied for fifth
in the final NCAA Midwest Region poll.
On May 11, 2002, Erik Olson married Becky Stewart in Greendale, Wis.
Olson Coaching Experience
2001-Present . . . . . . . . Asst. Coach University of Miami Coral Gables, Fla.
2000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Asst. Coach UW-Milwaukee Milwaukee, Wis.
2000 . . . . . 2nd Asst. Coach USA Men’s Jr. National Team Lake Placid, N.Y.
1999 . . . Co-Head Coach USA Performance Camp Colorado Springs, Colo.
1998 . . . . . . . . .Co-Director North Shore Volleyball Club Milwaukee, Wis.
1997-99 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Head Coach Shorewood HS Shorewood, Wis.
1994-97 . . . . . . . . Head Coach Marquette University HS Milwaukee, Wis.
1995 . . . . . . . . Head Coach North Shore Volleyball Club Milwaukee, Wis.
Assistant Coach April Yantis returns for her third
season on the Hurricane volleyball coaching staff.
Yantis’ responsibilities include scouting and daily correspondence with recruits and tape exchange with
opponents.
Yantis is also responsible for coaching the team’s
outside hitters. Last season, outside hitters Marcela
Gamarra and Valeria Tipiana were selected for both
the AVCA All-Northeast Regional First Team and BIG EAST Conference
First Team. Tipiana was also the BIG EAST Conference Player of the Year.
“We are fortunate to complete our staff with someone of April’s caliber,” said Lantagne Welch.“ She was an excellent player and brings great
intensity to our practices. April has made significant contributions toward
the continued growth of the Miami volleyball program.”
Yantis began her career as a player at Drexel University where she
played from 1994-1998. She was the first player in conference history to
be named first-team All-Conference three consecutive years. Yantis
earned Player of the Week honors nine times during her career with the
Dragons. During her freshman year, Yantis was named conference Rookie
of the Week four times. In her final three years with the Dragons, Yantis
earned various All-Tournament teams selections and was named the
team’s most valuable player in each season.
Four times during her career at Drexel, Yantis recorded 30 kills in a
match. As the senior team captain, Yantis finished her career at Drexel as
the school’s all-time kill and dig leader and ranks second in career games
played. She was awarded the Mary Semanik Award for Drexel’s most outstanding female athlete. Yantis graduated from Drexel University in 1998
with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in design and merchandising. She finished her playing career with the Women’s Volleyball AA Team which
placed fifth at Nationals in San Jose, Calif.
Yantis began her coaching career as an assistant coach with the
University of Pennsylvania from 1998 through 1999, where she assisted
with the development of practice plans, game strategies and scouting of
opponents. She received the Excellence In Service Award for her dedication to the program. Yantis also spent that year as the head coach of the
Golden Eagles Volleyball Club.
Yantis comes to Miami after serving as an assistant coach at Duke
University since 1999. At Duke, Yantis assisted the coaching staff with the
planning of practices, scouting opponents and recruiting and worked as a
liaison for the Promotions and Sports Information Departments. Yantis
also served as a weight training instructor at Duke during the 2000 season.
Yantis Coaching Experience
2001-Present . . . . . . . . Asst. Coach University of Miami Coral Gables, Fla.
1999-00 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2nd Asst. Coach Duke University Durham, N.C.
1998-99 . . . . 2nd Asst. Coach University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, Pa.
1998-99 . . . . . . . . . . . Head Coach Golden Eagles VB Club Haverford, Pa.
Support Staff
Connie Nickel
Alex DeGracia
Associate Athletic Director of Events
Director for
Internal Operations
Josh Maxson
Assistant SID
Linda Desilets
Assistant Director
of Events
Ralph Nogueras
Assistant
Equipment
Manager
Scott Moody
Intern
5
HURRICANE VOLLEYBALL
2003
Hurricanes
10
Valeria Tipiana
Outside Hitter
6-1
Junior
Lima, Peru (Cristo Rey Catholic HS)
Outlook for 2003: Valeria Tipiana enters the
2003 season not only as perhaps the BIG EAST
Conference’s most dominant outside hitter, but also
with hopes for selection as the Hurricanes’ first All-American since the
program’s restoration …last season, she was the BIG EAST Conference
Player of the Year, the only unanimous selection for First-Team All-BIG
EAST Conference and made the AVCA All-Northeast Region Team…in the
first week of UM’s first season in the conference, the Hurricanes had their
own BIG EAST Player of the Week after Tipiana scorched each UM opponent at the Wichita State Tournament and earned Tournament MVP honors…during the four-match stretch, Tipiana averaged a .358 hitting percentage and accumulated 64 kills against the likes of Stephen F. Austin,
Georgia, New Mexico and Wichita State…Tipiana’s game combines effortless athleticism and a powerful swing…also among the team’s best defensive players…Lantagne Welch says that she still has not reached the ceiling of her abilities: “Val has made huge strides over the past year and a
half and I think she has much more room to grow as a player.We just
need her to continue to work day in and day out to get better and better.
She’s capable of unbelievable things.”
2002 (Sophomore): Tipiana had a spectacular sophomore season in
which she was selected as the Hurricanes’ first BIG EAST Player of the
Year…was the only player in the conference to earn unanimous selection
for First-Team All-BIG EAST honors…earned a place on the American
Volleyball Coaches Association’s All-Northeast Region First Team…a
Peruvian national who also garnered numerous minor honors including
BIG EAST Player of the Week for the week of Aug. 26 through Sept. 2 and
BIG EAST Co-Player of the Week for Nov. 11 through 17…Wichita State
Tournament MVP and the Florida International Fall Volleyball Classic
MVP…named to the 2002 Hurricane Invitational All-Tournament
Team…finished the season eighth among BIG EAST players in hitting percentage (.303) and also eighth in kills per game (3.95)…also valuable to
the Hurricanes on defense with 2.73 digs per game…against conference
opponents, she was fifth with a .332 hitting percentage and second in
kills with 4.83 per game…recorded double-doubles against Boston
College (15 kills, 13 digs, five blocks), Georgetown (18 kills, 13 digs, six
blocks), Virginia Tech in the BIG EAST Championship Semifinal (21 kills, 11
digs, six blocks), and against Wisconsin in the NCAA Tournament (18 kills,
12 digs, six blocks)…struck for a better than .400 hitting percentage on 11
occasions including matches against Georgia (.474), Fordham (.643),
Florida International (.464), Florida Atlantic (.409), Stetson (.522),
Providence (.556), Villanova (.471), Seton Hall (.765), South Florida (.419),
Virginia Tech (.424) and Wisconsin (.441)…season highs included a .765
hitting percentage against Seton Hall (also a career high), 22 kills against
Boston College (also a career high), 22 digs against Boston College, and
five service aces against Providence...tied a career high six blocks on four
occasions (Wisconsin, Duke, Virginia Tech, and Georgetown)...represented
her native Peru on the Peruvian National Team over the summer of 2003.
2001 (Freshman): Played in 84 games and 24 matches, including 22
starts…averaged 2.37 kills, 2.57 digs and 0.84 blocks per game…was second
on the team in digs (208) and third in blocks (68), assists (68), kills (192) and
total attacks (419)…posted 25 service aces and tallied a season-high 17 kills
in a 3-2 win over North Texas…had a season-high 17 digs against Coastal
Carolina…recorded a season-best 6 blocks against Florida Atlantic.
High School (Cristo Rey Catholic): A member of the Peruvian
national team in 2000 that placed third in the XII South America
Championships and also qualified for World Cup Competition…was
named a starter for the 2000 Older Age Group Peruvian National Team
that finished fourth in the South American Championships…her state AllStar team placed second at the Peruvian National competition in 2000…a
member of the 1999 Peruvian National Team and was selected as a starter
during the 1999 South American Competition…her team also competed
in the Pre-World Championships.
Personal: Born May 23, 1984 in Lima, Peru…a sociology major...the
daughter of Penelope and Jorge Tipiana and has one brother, Jorge (16)
Career Best
Kills, three games: 19 (at Villanova Sept. 28 2002)
Kills, four games: 22 (vs. Georgia Aug. 30 2002)
Kills, five games: 28 (vs. Notre Dame Nov. 15 2002)
Other notable bests:
Digs: 22 (at Boston College Sept. 28 2002)
Attack Percentage: .765 (13 kills on 17 attacks vs. Seton Hall Oct. 13 2002)
Tipiana’s Career Statistics
6
Year
GP
Kill
Avg.
E
Att.
Ass.
Avg.
Ace
Dig
Avg.
BS
BA
TB
Avg.
2001
2002
81
117
192
462
2.37
3.95
43
146
419
1042
.356
.303
Pct.
68
61
0.84
0.52
25
27
208
320
2.57
2.74
11
6
57
97
68.0
103.0
0.84
0.88
Totals
198
654
3.30
189
1461
.318
129
0.65
52
528
2.67
17
154
171.0
0.86
HURRICANE VOLLEYBALL
2003
Hurricanes
1
Mallorey James
Setter
5-8
Junior
Tucson, Ariz. (Salpointe Catholic HS)
Club: Zona Volleyball Club
Outlook for 2003: Hurricane setter Mallorey
James is no stranger to win streaks…during her
career at Salpointe Catholic in Tucson, Ariz., James led the Lancers to a
52-match win streak that spanned three years…at the collegiate level,
James’ penchant for winning carried over. In her first season with the
Hurricanes, 2001, James’ team capped off the season with an 11-match
win streak that carried over into 2002…with James as the starting setter,
the Hurricanes won another 15 consecutive matches…Overall, the
Hurricanes won 26 consecutive matches, which led the nation at the
time…ultimately, the Hurricanes’ success with James at setter would
eclipse even that streak as Miami advanced on to the Sweet 16 in the
NCAA Tournament with James as the starting setter…a great deal of
James’ success can be attributed to her hard work, according to UM head
coach Nicole Lantagne Welch…at Salpointe, James had been a star outside hitter, but her scholastic coaches knew that her skills would translate
better at the Division 1 collegiate level if she practiced some at setter…at
Miami, James took to the setter position naturally and she was honored
as the BIG EAST Conference’s 2002 Setter of the Year for her efforts…in
2003, the coaching staff is looking for James to expand her role on the
Hurricanes’ squad as a total player in addition to sustaining her role as
the conference’s most prolific playmaker…“One of the next stages in
Mallorey’s development is becoming a better decison-maker on the court,
blocking and being a bit more effective on the dump,” coach Lantagne
Welch noted. “It’s just something you get better at each year when you’re
out there.”
2002 (Sophomore): James led the BIG EAST Conference in assists per
game (12.82, 29th in the nation)...based on her performance in engineering the Hurricanes’ offense, James was selected as the conference’s Setter
of the Year…the Hurricanes finished the regular season second in the BIG
EAST in hitting percentage (.257) and first in kills per game (16.33, 25th
among Division 1 NCAA teams) with James at the setter position…as
starting setter, James played in 27 matches (95 games)…recorded a
career-high 63 assists in Miami’s 3-1 win over Boston College...in the
Hurricanes’ 3-1 upset of South Florida, James had 60 assists…during
Miami’s four-game NCAA Tournament win over Wisconsin, she had 62
assists…named to the All-BIG EAST First Team and to the American
Volleyball Coaches Association’s All-Northeast Region First Team…averaged 12.9 assists during the Hurricanes’ dramatic NCAA Tournament
run…averaged 11.2 assists in the BIG EAST Tournament…recorded seven
double-doubles in matches against New Mexico (51 assists, 10 digs),
Boston College (63 assists, 11 digs), Seton Hall (52 assists, 10 digs), Florida
International (37 assists, 11 digs), Florida Atlantic (39 assists, 10 digs),
Virginia Tech (60 assists, 11 digs), and versus Virginia Tech in the BIG EAST
Championship Semifinal (41 digs, 10 assists).
2001 (Freshman): In her first season as a setter for the Hurricanes,
James played in 18 matches and 55 games, including 11 starts…averaged
a team-high 9.33 assists and 1.91 digs a game and led the team in total
assists (513)…recorded over 30 assists in 10 games as a freshman…season
highs included 58 assists in the 3-1 victory over Jacksonville and 19 digs in
the win over Florida Atlantic.
High School (Salpointe Catholic): A four-year letter winner in volleyball at Salpointe Catholic High School in Tucson, Ariz…during her junior and senior seasons, led the Lancers on a 52-match win streak against
regional teams…as a senior, was named team captain and earned
Women’s Volleyball 5A Player of the Year Award…was named Southern
Arizona Player of the Year by the Arizona Daily Star…was named Tucson
Citizen girls’ volleyball Player of the Year…earned 5A Southern AllRegional First-Team honors…James was named to the Tucson Citizen FirstTeam All-Region…earned Arizona Daily First-Team All-Region
honors…guided her team to the 5A Southern Regional
Championship…during her junior season, played outside hitter and was
named to the 5A Southern Region First-Team after guiding her team to a
conference championship and a perfect 20-0 conference mark…recorded
237 kills, 102 digs, 40 assists, 26 aces and 23 blocks at the position.
Club: Played for Zona Volleyball Club ... Competed in the Fiesta Classic
Tournament, the Las Vegas Tournament, and the Colorado Crossroads
National Qualifier Volleyball Festival.
Personal: Born December 13, 1982 in Tucson, Ariz…is currently majoring in entrepreneurship…the daughter of Peg and Ken James…has one
sister, Courtney (21).
Career Best
Assists, three games: 52 (at Villanova Sept. 28 2002)
Assists, four games: 63 (at Boston College Sept. 28 2002)
Assists, five games: 60 (vs. Virginia Tech in BIG EAST Championship
Semifinal Nov. 23 2002)
Digs: 19 (vs. Florida Atlantic, Nov. 6, 2001)
Team Hitting Percentage (with James starting at setter): .364 (vs.
Wisconsin in NCAA Tournament Dec. 7, 2002)
James’ Career Statistics
Year
GP
Kill
Avg.
E
Att.
Avg.
Ace
Dig
Avg.
BS
BA
TB
Avg.
2001
2002
55
95
51
64
0.93
0.67
19
26
120
188
.267
.202
Pct.
513
1218
Ass.
9.33
12.82
10
24
105
197
1.91
2.07
1
1
15
37
16.0
31.0
0.29
0.33
Total
150
115
0.76
45
308
.227
1731
11.54
34
302
2.01
2
52
47.0
0.31
7
HURRICANE VOLLEYBALL
2003
Hurricanes
25
Peachtree Classic, All Power League tournaments, and Florida Regionals.
Personal: Elizabeth Tyson was born January 25, 1983 in Jacksonville,
Fla…majoring in political science…is the daughter of Carolyn and the late
David Tyson.
Elizabeth “Biz” Tyson
Outside hitter
5-10
Junior
Jacksonville, Fla. (Bishop Kenny HS)
Club: Jacksonville Jr. Volleyball Association
Career Best
Outlook for 2003: Biz Tyson had the most explosive post-season of any Hurricane volleyball player
and the coaching staff hopes that will carry over into 2003…during spring
scrimmages, Tyson appeared to have kept a hold on the improved accuracy and decisive hitting she had added to her already powerful attack during the postseason last year…in addition to her rugged play, Tyson has
emerged as a leader for the Hurricanes on the court. “We’re definitely
excited about Biz and her progress,” coach Nicole Lantagne Welch said.
“She has really stepped up her play and I think the team knows that and
has responded to it. She is going to be a leader for us.”
2002 (Sophomore): The Hurricanes’ most aggressive and ferocious
hitter, Tyson’s striking ability was always impressive, but improved accuracy allowed her to become the team’s most formidable offensive weapon
during the postseason…“Biz had All-American numbers in the postseason,” UM head coach Nicole Lantagne Welch observed…Tyson had a .307
hitting percentage and accounted for 72 kills (five matches) in the BIG
EAST and NCAA Tournaments...Tyson was critical in the Hurricanes’ 3-1
upset of Wisconsin with 19 kills and a superior .514 hitting percentage…
Overall on the season, Tyson finished second on the team with 3.40 kills
per game and averaged a .202 hitting percentage…the Jacksonville native
struck a career high 27 kills (.396 hitting percentage) in the Hurricanes’
five-game win over key regional rival Florida State (Sept. 13, 2002)…also
had a career-high 16 digs against the Seminoles and led the team with 39
service aces…led the Hurricanes in double-double performances in 2002
with 13…had double-doubles against New Mexico (17 kills, 13 digs),
Stephen F. Austin (14 kills, 14 digs), Oregon (13 kills, 12 digs), Florida State
(27 kills, 16 digs), Stetson (10 kills, 13 digs), Villanova (12 kills, 14 digs),
Georgetown (19 kills, 10 digs), Pittsburgh (12 kills, 15 digs). Syracuse (13
kills, 14 digs), Virginia Tech (14 kills, 13 digs), Notre Dame (16 kills, 10
digs), Duke (14 kills, 13 digs); and Wisconsin (19 kills, 11 digs)...Tyson was
selected by her teammates at the Hurricanes’ Most Improved Player and
received the team’s Unsung Hero and Coach’s Award.
2001 (Freshman): Played in 65 games and 24 matches, including nine
starts and averaged 1.98 kills, 1.55 digs and 0.29 blocks per game during
the Hurricanes’ inaugural campaign…finished fourth on the team in kills
(129) and fifth on the team in blocks (19)…tallied a team-high 22 digs in
the 3-0 win over Coastal Carolina (Sept. 1, 2001)…amassed a career-high
16 kills three times: against Davidson, North Texas and Pittsburgh…also
recorded a season-high 47 total attacks in the match against Davidson.
High School (Bishop Kenny): A four-year letterwinner in volleyball…led Bishop Kenney to the 2000 Tournament Final Four…guided the
Crusaders to the 1999 Class 4A State Championship title…earned honors
as a Florida Times Union First-Team All-City and, during her last two years,
All-State and Player of the Year Honors…as a senior, was named team
captain, received the Florida Sports Awards’ Amateur Volleyball Player of
the Year Award, and led her team in every statistical category except
assists with 175 kills, 106 digs, 23 service aces and 35 blocks...during her
junior year, she recorded a career-high 219 kills, 155 digs and 39
blocks…amassed 55 aces during her junior year.…as a sophomore, earned
Florida Times Union First-Team All-City and Second-Team All-State honors…during her freshman season, the team won the district championship
title and advanced to the regional finals in her freshman year.
Club: Jacksonville Junior Volleyball Association…captain, 18-1…started for
three years on elite team…competed in Tampa Bay Junior National Qualifier,
Kills, three games: 14 (twice, most recent vs. Duke in NCAA Tournament
Dec. 6, 2002)
Kills, four games: 19 (vs. Wisconsin in NCAA Tournament Dec. 7, 2002)
Kills, five games: 27 (vs. Florida State Sept. 13, 2002)
Other notable best
Attack percentage: .562 (vs. FAU Sept. 20, 2002)
Tyson’s Career Statistics
8
Year
GP
Kill
Avg.
E
Att.
Ass.
Avg.
Ace
Dig
Avg.
BS
BA
TB
Avg.
2001
2002
65
117
129
398
1.98
3.40
59
154
371
1118
.189
.218
Pct.
8
17
0.12
0.15
11
39
101
291
1.55
2.49
7
6
12
58
19.0
64.0
0.29
0.55
Total
247
527
2.13
213
1489
.211
25
0.10
50
392
1.58
13
70
83
0.33
HURRICANE VOLLEYBALL
2003
Hurricanes
11
Robin Lewullis
Middle blocker
6-1
Sophomore
Allentown, Pa. (Central Catholic HS)
Club: Synergy
Outlook for 2003: Along with teammate Karla
Johnson and redshirt freshman Frannie Savage, the
Hurricanes’ coaching staff will look to Robin Lewullis to take on a more
active role in the offense this season…Lewullis led the team in blocks, but
Miami will need her to have a higher impact getting kills this season as
well…last season, Lewullis numbered among the most athletic middles in
the BIG EAST and should continue to develop along the same lines in
2003…“Robin’s biggest strength is her blocking ability,” UM head coach
Nicole Lantagne Welch said. “She just really came on at the end of the
season and was a wall for us. I think that if we can add a little bit of
offensive punch to her game, she’s going to be an exceptional middle
blocker.”
2002 (Freshman): Lewullis was among the more underrated players
for the Hurricanes during the NCAA Tournament…in matches against
Duke and Wisconsin, had a combined 14 total blocks…led UM along the
net with 1.29 blocks per game (fourth in the BIG EAST) and averaged 1.66
kills per game…totaled a career-high 11 blocks against Boston
College…had two 10-kill games, once in a five-game loss to Florida
International and in a five-game loss to Pittsburgh…had two nine-block
performances: in a 3-0 rout of Providence and in a five-game loss to
Florida International…received the 2002 Unsung Hero Award at the
Hurricanes’ Volleyball Awards Banquet.
High School (Central Catholic): An exceptional athlete in high
school who lettered for four years in volleyball and three in basketball…with Lewullis on the roster, Allentown Central Catholic won the East
Penn Conference Championships each of her four years…guided the
Vikettes to the District XI Championship title in 2002…led the team to the
Pennsylvania State Championship title during her senior season…team
captain during her senior year when she garnered a number of honors
including being selected to East Penn Conference All-Star First Team, firstteam All-State, and District XI Most Valuable Player...averaged 11.6 kills
and five blocks per game…led the team to a 23-1 overall record and 8-0
conference mark…as a junior, was named to the East Penn Conference
All-Star Second Team and earned District XI All-Star Second Team honors…also earned All-State Honorable Mention having recorded 8.5 kills
and 4.5 blocks per game…the Vikettes finished 19-3 overall and 7-1 in
conference play…the team was District XI runner-up in 1998-99 during
her junior season.
Club: Synergy…18’s competed at Earlybird Extravaganza Champions
and finished eighth in Las Vegas Tournament…17’s competed in Earlybird
Extravaganza, Las Vegas Tournament, Davis Festival, NEQ, and Spri events.
Personal: Born June 8, 1984…the daughter of Ronald and Regina
Lewuillis...she majors in health science…has one sister, Natalie (29) and a
brother, Gabe (26)…her brother, Gabe, was a member of Princeton basketball team (1995-99) and he scored the game-winning shot in a 1996
NCAA Tournament game to defeat UCLA…she attended the same high
school as Denver Broncos wide receiver Ed McCaffrey.
Career Bests
Total blocks, three games: 9 (at Providence College Sept. 29 2002)
Total blocks, four games: 11 (at Boston College Sept. 28 2002)
Total blocks, five games: 9 (vs. Florida International Oct. 16 2002)
Other notable bests
Kills: 10 (twice, most recent at Pittsburgh Nov. 8 2002)
Lewullis’ Career Statistics
Year
GP
Kill
Avg.
E
Att.
Ass.
Avg.
Ace
Dig
Avg.
BS
BA
TB
Avg.
2002
118
196
1.66
92
539
.193
Pct.
9
0.08
24
100
0.85
13
139
152
1.29
Total
118
196
1.66
92
539
.193
9
0.08
24
100
0.85
13
139
152
1.29
9
HURRICANE VOLLEYBALL
2003
Hurricanes
15
Karla Johnson
Middle blocker
6-1
Sophomore
Houston, Texas (Aldine Westfield HS)
Club: Houston Juniors
Outlook in 2003: During spring scrimmages,
coach Nicole Lantagne Welch hoped she saw the
Hurricanes’ middle blockers developing an expanded role in the team’s
attack…a key part of that increased offensive production will rely on
sophomore middle blocker Karla Johnson…Johnson has enormous potential at the Division 1 level as evidenced especially in the first half of the
2002 season…the coaching staff hopes that she continues to develop her
powerful and precise hitting and superior blocking ability…“Karla had a
great freshman season and now she just needs to step it up notch,”
Lantagne Welch said. “We’re really working on her to be more aggressive
and go after things a little bit harder. She needs to be very confident in
every play and know exactly what she’s capable of. She can be a great
blocker and hitter for us in the middle and we expect her to continue to
grow each time she’s out.”
2002 (Freshman): Johnson was selected twice for BIG EAST CoRookie of the Week honors in 2002 (Sept. 30 and Oct. 4)…finished sixth in
the conference in hitting percentage (.310, second on team)…was second
on team in blocks (1.01, 119 total)…clubbed Virginia Tech with a careerhigh 18 kills (.333 hitting percentage) during the BIG EAST Tournament
semifinal…had a career-high .650 hitting percentage in 3-0 sweep of
Providence…made a career-high eight total blocks in a tournamentclinching win over host Wichita State…had a hitting percentage of .450
or over (minimum 10 kills) on five occasions: against Georgia (.500 hitting
percentage, 13 kills, 4 blocks), Howard (.619, 15, 2), Florida Atlantic (.450,
11, 6), Stetson (.647, 11, 0), Providence (.650, 13, 4), and Virginia Tech
(.474, 11, 1)…had a match-high seven total blocks in the Hurricanes’ 3-1
win over Wisconsin in the NCAA Tournament...Set the UM volleyball
jump/touch record at ten feet even.
High School (Aldine Westfield): Johnson was a two-year letterwinner in volleyball and a three-year letterwinner in track and field at Aldine
Westfield High School in Houston, Texas…started at the middle blocker
position for the Mustangs her junior and senior years and garnered firstteam all-district honors in both seasons…was named District Most
Valuable Player her senior year, while leading her team to a 12-2 conference record and guiding the Mustangs to a 26-7 overall record and 13-1
conference mark her junior year.
Club: Houston Juniors…placed second at Tampa Qualifier, qualified
for nationals and placed first in Tour of Texas… competed in Davis
Tournament in 17 age group.
Personal: Born June 27, 1984…is the daughter of Carolyn and Karl
Johnson…majors in biomedical engineering…is a member of the National
Honor Society…selected the University of Miami over Louisiana State.
Career Best
Total blocks: 8 (at Wichita State Aug. 31 2002)
Total blocks, four games: 7 (twice, most recent vs. Wisconsin Dec. 7, 2002)
Total blocks, five games: 5 (three times, most recent vs. Virginia Tech in
BIG EAST Championship Semifinal Nov. 23, 2002)
Other notable bests
Kills: 18 (Virginia Tech in BIG EAST Championship Semifinal Nov. 23, 2002)
Attack percentage: .650 (at Providence College Sept. 29, 2002)
Johnson’s Career Statistics
Year
GP
Kill
Avg.
E
Att.
Ass.
Avg.
Ace
Avg.
BS
BA
TB
Avg.
2002
118
296
2.51
92
659
.310
10
0.08
14
63
0.53
21
98
119
1.01
Total
118
296
2.51
92
659
.310
10
0.08
14
63
0.53
21
98
119
1.01
10
Pct.
Dig
HURRICANE VOLLEYBALL
2003
Hurricanes
17
Personal: Born February 2, 1983 in Torrance, Calif. Grass is majoring
in business administration…the daughter of Susan and Jeff Grass…has
one sister, Jaclyn (17)…was a member of the honor roll throughout high
school.
Jamie Grass
Libero
5-8
Junior
Manhattan Beach, Calif. (Mira Costa HS)
Club: Spoilers Volleyball Club
*- Note: Libero position was instituted by NCAA in 2002.
Career Best
Outlook for 2003: Grass made a smooth transition to full-time libero in 2002 and became one of
the BIG EAST Conference’s top players at the position…the coaching staff
expects her to continue to anchor the Hurricanes’ defense in 2003…a
high-school soccer player, Grass’ short-distance speed and explosiveness
enable her to cover the floor well and get under balls…her talents were
particularly evident in the post-season…Grass’ efforts were recognized by
the team when she was named Co-Most Valuable Player in 2002…UM
head coach Nicole Lantagne Welch, who has always stressed defense, says
that Grass will be a key factor in any success the Hurricanes may have in
2003…“Jamie is such a great ball-control player,” Lantagne Welch said.
“She has all the skills to be an incredible libero. They (the BIG EAST
Conference) are adding a new award this year, the Libero of the Year, and
I know that’s something that she’s really going to strive to achieve.
Jamie’s passing ability and her defense are her biggest strengths and she’s
kind of the mainstay on this team.”
2002 (Sophomore): Finished the season third in the BIG EAST
Conference with 4.23 digs per game…Grass’ best matches were against
the Hurricanes’ top competition…had a career-high 40 digs in Miami’s
dramatic five-game win over Virginia Tech in the first round of the BIG
EAST Tournament…had 27 digs in the Hurricanes’ 3-2 upset of Notre
Dame during the regular season…Grass breached the 20-dig mark on six
occasions…against Stephen F. Austin she had 25 digs…21 against Florida
International…22 against Georgetown…21 against Florida Atlantic… 27
against Notre Dame…40 against Virginia Tech in the BIG EAST
Championship Semifinal)…her 40-dig total against Virginia Tech was a
career high.
2001 (Freshman): Grass started in 21 matches and played in 84
games, averaging 3.32 digs (total of 279, team-high), 5.36 assists and 1.25
kills per game…was second on the team in total assists (450) and third in
service aces (29)…playing at setter, Grass posted a season-high 63 assists
in Miami’s 3-2 win over North Texas (Oct. 21, 2001)…tallied a season-high
21 digs in her first collegiate match against Davidson College (Aug.
31,2001) and recorded double-digit dig performances in 17 different
matches.
High School: Grass was a four-year letterwinner in volleyball and soccer…her team won the Bay League Championships three years in a row
between her sophomore and senior years…the Mustangs won the 2000
Chicago Nike Challenge and Santa Barbara Tournament…Mira Costa won
the CIF Division I-A Championship in 2000 and was ranked No. 2 in the
nation her senior year…In 1998, her team won the Ocean League
Tournament…earned the Scholar-Athlete Award in each of her four years
and was named second team all-league her last two seasons…as a senior,
she earned CIF Division I Honorable Mention distinction.
Beach: Grass was presented with a silver medal at the 2001 Junior
Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia…team also qualified to represent the
USA at the 2001 World Championships in Nice, France, and was the winner of the Junior National Beach Championship in 2000…Grass qualified
as a member of the 2000 U.S. Junior National Beach Volleyball team and
was a three-time Manhattan Beach Junior Open Champion (97-99)…in
1998, her team won the Junior Olympic AAU Games in Norwalk, Va.
Club: Spoilers Volleyball Club…Davis National Champions (1998 and
1999) and national runners up (1997 and 1999)…New Year’s Classic champions (2000)…Las Vegas Invitational champions (2000)…sixth place Nike
National Volleyball Festival (2000).
Digs, three games: 21 (at FAU Oct. 29, 2002)
Digs, four games: 25 (vs. Stephen F. Austin Aug. 31, 2002)
Digs, five games: 40 (vs. Virginia Tech Nov. 23, 2002)
Grass’ Career Statistics
Year
GP
Kill
Avg.
E
Att.
Avg.
Ace
Dig
Avg.
BS
BA
TB
Avg.
2001
2002
55
95
51
64
0.93
0.67
19
26
120
188
.267
.202
Pct.
513
1218
Ass.
9.33
12.82
10
24
105
197
1.91
2.07
1
1
15
37
16.0
31.0
0.29
0.33
Total
150
115
0.76
45
308
.227
1731
11.54
34
302
2.01
2
52
47.0
0.31
11
HURRICANE VOLLEYBALL
2003
Hurricanes
16
21
Setter
5-7
Sophomore
Manhattan Beach, Calif. (Marymount HS)
Club: Sports Shack
Defensive Specialist
5-3
Sophomore
Huntingdon, Pennsylvania (Huntingdon HS)
Club: Nittany
Kaitlin Kozak
Margie Young
Outlook in 2003: Margie Young is another
weapon in the Hurricanes’ considerable arsenal of talent at the setter position…she will compete for time with returning BIG
EAST Setter of the Year Mallorey James and newcomer Jill Robinson
...“Margie is a great setter and she showed it this past fall as a freshman,”
Lantagne Welch said. “She came in and did an exceptional job, especially
as a freshman. Margie is going to push Mallorey day in and day out and
she’s going to be ready if and when she’s called upon. I think Margie
brings a lot to the team. She works hard and she’s getting better and
better. She’s going to push for some time as a setter.”
2002 (Freshman): Young provided a spark off the bench for the
Hurricanes playing in a reserve role at the setter position…tied a BIG
EAST Conference record for assists in a five-game match when she generated 73 in the Hurricanes’ crucial win over arch-rival Florida State…for her
efforts, she was named BIG EAST Co-Rookie of the Week for Sept. 16…
averaged 9.49 assists per game.
High School (Marymount): A three-year letterwinner in volleyball,
Young started at the setter position her last two years…led her team to
two consecutive state championship titles…the Sailors won league championships her junior and senior seasons and captured the CIF championship title her senior year…a three-time Scholastic All-CIF selection…as a
senior, was a team captain and was named to first-team All-League...as a
junior, was selected second-team All-League and named Most Improved
Player.
Club: Sports Shack…competed in the Las Vegas Tournament during
senior season…coached by Tim Jensen and Chris McGee.
Personal: Born June 4, 1984…the daughter of Jane and Ralph
Young…majoring in entrepreneurship...a member of the California
Scholarship Federation each of her four years in high school.
Outlook in 2003: Kaitlin Kozak will likely continue to provide a spark off of the bench in
2003…“Kaitlin has improved a great deal since she first got here,” coach
Nicole Lantagne Welch said. “She has very good instincts on defense and
we’re working to combine that with the perfect technique to make her
an impact player.”
2002 (Freshman): Played in 15 games during her first season as a
Hurricane, primarily in defensive situations…was solid in her first season
at the Division 1 level.
High School (Huntingdon): A three-year letterwinner in volleyball,
Kozak was selected for first-team All-State, Mountain League first team
and first-team All-District honors…also an Altoona Mirror Athlete of the
Week…helped Huntingdon win three consecutive district championships
and a combined 58-3 record (regular-season play)…was an All-Mountain
League Honorable Mention selection during junior year…also collected
letters in gymnastics and track and field.
Club: Nittany…competed in East Coast Championships, Northeast
Qualifier, the Earlybird Extravaganza, and the St. Francis Tournament
(selected as tournament MVP and made all-tournament team)…during
junior year, participated on Lion’s Pride 18’s, which competed in the East
Coast Championship, the Northeast Regionals, and the St. Francis
Tournament.
Personal: Born Aug. 6, 1983…the daughter of Jean and Paul
Kozak…majoring in sports administration.
Young’s Career Statistics
Year
GP
Kill
Avg.
E
2002
39
12 0.31
3
37 .243
370 9.49
9
37 0.95
0
8 8.0 0.21
Total
39
12
3
37 .243
370
9
37
0
8
0.31
Att. Pct. Ass. Avg.
9.49
The Hurricanes
Ace Dig Avg. BS BA TB
0.95
8.0
Avg.
0.21
It began in controversy. Some reports say the 1927 football
team held a team meeting to select Hurricanes, hoping they
would sweep away opponents just as the devastating storm did on
September 16, 1926. Another version holds that Miami News
columnist Jack Bell asked end Porter Norris of the 1926 team what
the team should be called. Told that the local dignitaries and
University officials wanted to name the team for a local flora or
fauna, Norris said the players wouldn’t stand for it and suggested
“Hurricanes” since the opening game had been postponed by
such a storm. From time to time, opposition has arisen to the
name that would “reinforce Miami’s negative reputation as a
weather-beaten community living constantly under the threat of
destruction.” But as one UM official rationalized in the 60’s, “Does
anyone think Chicago is overrun by bears just because the town
has a football team by that name?”
12
Kozak’s Career Statistics
Year
GP
2002
14
Kill
0 0
Avg.
1
1-1.000
1
0.07
3
6 0.42
0
0 0.0 0.00
Totals
14
0
1
1-1.000
1
0.07
3
6
0
0
0
E
Att. Pct. Ass. Avg.
Ace Dig Avg. BS BA TB
0.42
0.0
Orange, Green & White
UM’s school colors were selected in 1926. The colors of the
Florida orange tree represent UM. Orange symbolizes the fruit of
the tree, green represents the leaves and white, the blossoms.
The “U”
In 1973, UM’s Athletic Federation, the fund raising arm of the
athletic department at the time, commissioned a local public relations expert to develop a distinctive logo. The University had gone
several years with a variety of helmet and uniform changes and
the Federation noted that a number of major colleges have the
initials UM. Miami designer Bill Bodenhamer suggested the “U”
idea, which lent itself to distinctive logos for each sport as well as
slogans like “U gotta believe” and “U is great.”
Avg.
0.00
HURRICANE VOLLEYBALL
2003
Hurricanes
7
4
Outside Hitter
5-10
Junior
West Palm Beach, Fla. (Lake Worth Christian HS)
Club: 4-U Volleyball
Middle Blocker
6-0
Redshirt Freshman
Ft. Myers, Fla. (Fort Myers HS)
Club: USA South
Ashley Youngs
Francheska “Frannie” Savage
Outlook for 2003: The most improved Hurricane
on the court at Miami’s spring scrimmage tournament, Ashley Youngs will figure heavily in Miami’s efforts to replace
departed all-conference, all-regional player Marcela Gamarra…Youngs
has always been a solid defensive player and passer, but her attacking
seems to have caught up…Coach Nicole Lantagne Welch said that with
increased confidence, Youngs’ overall impact has been more apparent…in
addition to confidence, Youngs has been coaching club ball during the
offseason and Lantagne Welch thought that had improved her overall
volleyball acumen.
“I think she’s grown with confidence in each match,” Lantagne Welch
said. “She used the spring to get her teammates to believe in her. She
knew that she could do that and now she’s out there. She has the confidence now to go out there and swing hard. She’s an aggressive and feisty
player and she brings a lot of that to the court.”
2002 (Sophomore): Youngs was the Hurricanes’ first option off of
the bench and provided needed depth for the young team…played in
more games than any other non-starter (68 games in 28 matches)…had a
career-high seven kills and 15 attacks (.400 hitting percentage) in the
Hurricanes’ convincing three-game sweep of Providence College (Sept. 29,
2002). Youngs is one of five Florida natives on the Hurricanes’ roster.
2001 (Freshman): Played in 51 games and 22 matches…averaged
0.35 kills and 0.71 digs per game…accumulated 18 kills, 36 digs and four
assists…posted a season-high 6 kills in the 3-0 win over Nova
Southeastern…had a season-best four digs in the match versus Florida
Memorial.
High School (Lake Worth Christian): Youngs was a four-year letterwinner in volleyball and basketball and a one-year letterwinner in softball
and track and field at Lake Worth Christian School…guided the
Defenders to district championships each of her four years and her team
finished with a perfect 10-0 conference mark the last two years…as a senior, Youngs was a team captain and MVP…named Player of the Year by
the Palm Beach Post and the Sun-Sentinel…earned Palm Beach Post and
Sun-Sentinel first-team All-State honors and first-team Scholar Athlete
honors…also averaged 14 kills and 6.1 blocks for the Defenders…as a junior, Youngs was named Senior team captain and co-MVP, while earning
first-team All-Area and second-team All-State honors by the Palm Beach
Post and Sun-Sentinel…as a sophomore, she garnered first-team All-Area
honors by the Palm Beach Post and the Sun-Sentinel.
Club: 4-U Volleyball…during Youngs’ senior year, competed in the Las
Vegas Invitational and the Tampa National Qualifier during senior
year…during junior year, competed in the Las Vegas Invitational,
Louisville National Qualifier, Colorado Crossroads, and Baltimore National
Qualifier during junior year.
Personal: Born October 4, 1982…majoring in broadcast
journalism/sociology…the daughter of Susan and Randy Youngs.
Outlook for 2003: After redshirting her freshman season, Frannie Savage is looking forward to a
breakout season in 2003…the coaching staff envisions Savage as stepping
into the Hurricanes’ rotation of middle blockers and making an
impact…head coach Nicole Lantagne Welch believes that Savage has
improved dramatically through the spring and should be part of the
blockers’ new emphasis on offensive production…“Frannie is probably
one of the hardest hitters on the team,” Lantagne Welch said. “She’s very
quick and she hits the heck out of the ball. We’re excited about getting
her in game situations and really seeing what she can do. She had
improved tremendously throughout the fall, and had we not redshirted
her, she definitely would have been out there some of the time. But we
chose to redshirt her so that we could have four solid years out of her out
there, and she will definitely battle for playing time from the start.”
2002 (Redshirt Freshman): Was granted a redshirt during her freshman year.
High School (Fort Myers): A two-year letterwinner in volleyball at
Ft. Myers High School, Savage guided her team to back-to-back consecutive conference, district and South Florida Invitational Championship
titles…she led the Green Wave to a Regional runner-up finish her senior
year and, before that, Regional semi-finals her junior season…as a senior,
Savage started at the middle-blocker position…was named first-team all
conference and selected to the Fort Myers News Press First-Team and the
District 16 FACA First Team...earned FACA Player of the Year honors
…named third-team all state and was voted her team’s Most Valuable
Player…led her team to a 26-4 overall record and a 10-0 conference
record…amassed 128 kills (4.26 kills per game, .313 attack percentage)
and 152 blocks…as a junior, Savage led the Green Wave to a 30-3 record
and 10-0 conference mark.
Club: USA South…took first place at President’s Day Tournament,
won Power League Qualifier, won Cloverleaf, and placed seventh at
Disney Invitational during senior year…took fifth at Denver tournament
and fifth at regionals during junior year.
Personal: Born February, 26, 1984…daughter of Sterling and Marilyn
Savage…has two sisters, Kenyatta (29) and Printiss Garlin (27), and three
brothers, Chavel (28), Robert Dunham (23), and Ravel (23)…majoring in
international marketing and finance.
Savage’s Career Statistics
Year
2002
GP
Kill
Avg.
E
Att. Pct. Ass. Avg.
Ace Dig Avg. BS BA TB
Avg.
Did not play - Redshirt
Youngs’ Career Statistics
Year
GP
Kill
Avg.
E
2001
2002
51
68
18 0.35
15 0.22
9
9
54 .167
51 .118
4
3
0.08
0.04
2
9
Totals
119
33
18
105 .143
7
0.06
11
0.28
Att. Pct. Ass. Avg.
Ace Dig Avg. BS BA TB
Avg.
36 0.71
53 0.78
0
0
2 2.0 0.04
1 1.0 0.01
89
0
3
0.75
3.0
0.02
13
HURRICANE VOLLEYBALL
2003
Newcomers
8
5
Outside Hitter
5-10
Senior
San Juan, Puerto Rico (Academia Maria Reina)
Middle Blocker
6-4
Freshman
Miami, Fla. (Palmer Trinity HS)
Club: Boomers Volleyball Club
Leyre Santaella Sante
Ciara Michel
Outlook for 2003: Leyre Santaella Sante was the
best player in the Atlantic Sun Conference and the
Hurricanes’ coaching staff is anxious to see how she performs against
some of the BIG EAST Conference’s more competitive teams…Santaella
Sante is similar to former Hurricane standout Marcela Gamarra, whom
many Miami fans may remember from last season, in that she packs the
same offensive might…of all of the Hurricanes’ newcomers, Santaella
Sante seems the most likely to make an immediate impact despite Miami’s
considerable depth at the position…“Leyre is just an excellent athlete and
all-around player,” Lantagne Welch said. “She’s proven herself by being a
dominant player in the Atlantic Sun for the last couple of years. She has a
great deal of experience coming with her.”
At Central Florida: Santaella Sante was the Atlantic Sun
Conference’s Player of the Year in 2002 and was second in the league in
kills (4.69 per game) and third in service aces (.42)…she was selected to
the all Atlantic Sun’s All-Conference First Team in both her sophomore
and junior years…was an Atlantic Sun All-Freshman selection…was a sixtime Atlantic Sun Player of the Week (three times in 2002) during her
career at Central Florida…was the tournament MVP of the Atlantic Sun
Championship in both 2001 and 2002… was on the Atlantic Sun AllAcademic Team in both 2001 and 2002.
Prior to Central Florida: Most Valuable Player on high school team
during freshman and senior seasons…co-captain of the Puerto Rico
National Young Team…All-Star Team NORCEA Tournament selection in
Mayaguez, Puerto Rico…Bronze medallist at Junior Olympics in New
Orleans (1999)…honored by Senate of Puerto Rico as one of the best outside hitters in territory…led Superior League in aces in 1999
Personal: She was born Oct. 27, 1982 in Condado, Puerto
Rico…daughter of Dr. Alvaro Santaella and Dr. Maria I. Santé…a business
major…made the dean’s list as a freshman and as a sophomore.
Santaella Sante’s Career Statistics
(at Central Florida)
Year
GP
Kill
Avg.
Ass.
Avg.
Ace
Dig
2000
2001
2002
106
95
130
440
447
610
4.15 216 1154 .194
4.71 145 1014 .298
4.69 267 1512 .227
E
Att.
Pct.
24
27
32
0.23
0.28
0.25
45
50
32
269 2.54
212 2.23
379 2.92
4
4
6
Total
331 1497 4.52 628 3680 .236
83
0.25
127
860
14 120 134.0 0.40
Sebastian the Ibis
Avg. BS BA
2.60
TB
Avg
32 36.0 0.34
49 53.0 0.56
39 45.0 0.35
Folklore maintains that the Ibis, a symbol of knowledge found in
the Everglades and Egypt, is the last sign of wildlife to take shelter
before a hurricane and the first to reappear after the storm. The local
marsh bird was considered UM’s first unofficial mascot when the
school yearbook adopted the name “Ibis” in 1926. Its popularity grew
among the students during the 50’s. In 1957 San Sebastian Hall, a residence hall on campus, sponsored an Ibis entry in the homecoming celebration. The next year, student John Stormont performed at games
in an Ibis costume that was glued, sewn and pinned together and was
the forerunner of today’s bird. Through the years, the Ibis has become
one of the most recognizable college mascots in the United States.
14
Outlook for 2003: According to Lantagne
Welch, Ciara Michel could contribute as a freshman…at 6-foot-4, Michel
will be the tallest player in the Hurricanes’ lineup and among the tallest
middle blockers in the BIG EAST Conference…“Ciara brings needed size to
our program,” the coach said. “She is easily our tallest player and yet has
amazing quickness and foot speed for her size. Ciara is already a strong
blocker and continues to become a great force offensively as well.”
High School (Palmer Trinity High School): Michel’s scholastic honors include selection for the SFISAA All Conference Team (2001/02), the
Westminster Christian School All Tournament Team (2001), Palmer Trinity
School’s Most Valuable Player (2001), and Crusader Invitational All
Tournament Player (2002).in non-scholastic competition, Michel’s team the
South Florida Volleyball Club was the 2000 AAU Champions, the
Peachtree Classic Champions (2000), and the Early Bird Extravaganza
Runner-Up (2001)
Club: Boomers Volleyball Club (17’s)… OVA Invitational Champions,
Florida Regional Runners-Up, the Power League Champions, and the
Florida Fest Champions…Also participated in Florida High Performance
17’s team and South Florida Volleyball Club 16’s while 14 years old and
17’s while 15…won AAU and Peachtree championships (2000) and placed
second in Early Bird Extravaganza (2001) with South Florida Volleyball
Club.
Personal: Born July 2, 1985, the daughter of James and Clodagh
Michel…her sister, Grania (19), plays volleyball for Penn, winning the Ivy
League Championship two years in a row during her career… Michel’s
academic honors include being a National Commended Scholar, selected
as a member of the Mu Alpha Theta Math Honor Society, and the
Quantitative Physical Science Medallion…she has been on the honor roll
at Palmer Trinity since seventh grade…Michel has also been involved in a
considerable amount of community service work including the Humane
Society (2002-03), participation in the Key Club, participation as a Good
Shepherd Christmas Party Volunteer, a Spudbuster Florida Environmental
volunteer, an assistant coach at volleyball summer camp, and a Metro Zoo
volunteer…she was also a member of Students Working Against Tobacco,
Students Against Destructive Decisions, Outward Bound (Everglades
retreat), and was a Peer Counselor.
HURRICANE VOLLEYBALL
2003
Newcomers
57
19
Setter
5-8
Freshman
Merced, Calif. (Golden Valley HS)
Club: Delta Valley
Outside Hitter
6-0
Freshman
Naples, Fla. (Barron Collier HS)
Club: USA South Volleyball Club
Outlook for 2003: In their first season of conference play, the Hurricanes have already established a tradition of excellent
setters with the selection of Mallorey James as the BIG EAST Setter of the
Year…head coach Nicole Lantagne Welch was herself an All-Atlantic
Coast Conference setter during her playing days at Maryland and has a
proven record of developing quality setter play throughout her
career…now the Hurricanes have added another considerable talent to
the fold in Jill Robinson….”Jill is not only a gifted setter, but is a terrific
athlete. She has the potential to become an excellent division I setter,”
Lantagne Welch said. “Jill plays with a big heart which always brings out
the best in the players that are around her.”
High School (Golden Valley): Robinson has claimed a number of
athletic accolades during her career, including 2002 Central California
Conference MVP honors; selection as a 2001 All-American at Junior
Nationals; selection as the 2001 Merced Sun Star All Area Player of the
Year, 2001 Modesto Bee Player of the Year, 2001 Central California
Conference MVP, 2001 MVP of the Lady Cougar Classic, 2000 Second-Team
All-District, 2000 Second Team All Conference, and Who’s Who in
Sports…her academic credentials include National Honor Society membership, California Scholarship Federation membership, Academic AllConference honors (four years, 3.5 GPA or higher during varsity sports),
and Who’s Who In High School Students.
Outlook for 2003: Sara Duncan will look for a
spot among the Hurricanes’ arsenal of exceptional outside hitters…”Sara
is a physical hitter with a quickly developing all-around game,” Lantagne
Welch said. “We are looking forward to seeing her fight for a starting
position in her freshman season.”
High School (Barron Collier): A multi-sport athlete at Barron Collier
High School in Naples, Fla., Duncan fits the mold of several Hurricanes
with her athletic style of play…was a three-year letter winner in volleyball and a two-year letter winner in softball. In 2000 and 2001, Duncan
helped lead her team to back-to-back Florida 4A District 12
Championships as well as an appearance in the Regional Final 8 in
2000…set a school record for aces (38) her sophomore year and then
broke that record her junior year when snapped off 42…led her team in
digs her junior year, but was also a force on offense and was named Best
Offensive Player…was named Collier County All-County Team and the
Fort Myers News-Press All-Area team…during her senior year, she topped
a personal high with 24 kills in one match…her club team USA South
Volleyball Club placed first in the Disney Classic, second at the Tampa Bay
Junior National Qualifier, and fifth at the Mideast Qualifier in
Indianapolis…also competed at the Junior Olympic Nationals in Salt Lake
City…selected to participate on the High Performance Team Florida 17year-old team that placed sixth in the World Cup Tournament in Park City,
Utah…during her scholastic career, Duncan was her senior class vice president, a three-year member of the student council.
Club: USA South Volleyball Club…in 2003, 18-1’s placed second in
Disney Classic and first in Sandspurs Kickoff…in 2002, 17-1’s qualified for
USAV Nationals in Salt Lake City, placed second in Tampa Bay National
Qualifier, fifth at Indy Hoosier National Qualifier, 11th at Kansas City
National Crossroads Qualifier, first at Disney Classic, and first at Florida
Fest Championship.
Personal: Born June 11, 1985, the daughter of Bob and Patty
Duncan…two brothers, Tim (30) and David (32).
Jill Robinson
UM Cheerleaders
The University of Miami cheerleaders are the catalyst for
school spirit at the University. Along with cheering at both home
and away athletic contests, the squad is a strong public relations
arm for the University. Active in community service and charitable
projects, the cheerleaders are a great source of pride for the
University and the City of Miami. Under the direction of coaches
Dan Reynolds and Nicole Stimson, the co-ed cheerleaders are consistently rated among the nation’s top squads. The Hurricanes, like
so many other high profile universities, recently added an all-girls
cheerleading squad. This squad, which competes at the national
Universal Cheerleaders Association college competition, are
coached by Heather Almaguer,Cristina Ball, and Suzette Benitez.
The co-ed team is captained by Alfonso Restrepo and Erin Vayo.
The all-girls captains will be named this fall.
UM Sunsations
Sara Duncan
War Canoe Trophy
An authentic Seminole war canoe, hand carved and painted by
Seminole Indians from a 200-year-old Everglades cypress tree felled by
lighting, was donated on behalf of the city of Hollywood in 1955 as a
trophy for the annual football game between Miami and Florida. The
canoe symbolized the magnificent spirit and fighting determination
traditional of the independent Florida Seminole tribe that was displayed annually between the Hurricanes and Gators. Today the canoe
is on display in UM’s Sports Hall of Fame on campus.
Now in their 17th year of entertaining fans, the University of
Miami Sunsations dance team is a squad of enthusiastic and talented performers. Their reputation for excellence has grown both
locally and nationally. The Sunsations, coached by former members
Janine Thompson and Jennifer Schaefer, perform at many charitable and community service events in addition to Hurricane football
and basketball games. The captains are Stephani Estrada and
Kristin Ungerland.
15
HURRICANE VOLLEYBALL
2003
Newcomers
2
14
Outside hitter
6-0
Freshman
Tampa, Florida (Sickles HS)
Club: Sandspurs
Defensive Specialist/Libero
5-5
Freshman
Wheaton, Illinois (Wheaton North HS)
Club: West Suburban Volleyball Club
Jennifer Vance
Outlook for 2003: One of two outside hitters to
be recruited from Florida, Jennifer Vance is a quality athlete with considerable experience in high-level competition…”Jennifer has been playing
volleyball at a high level for several years,” Lantagne Welch said. “She’s a
very experienced volleyball player and a great competitor…she has the
athleticism and the desire to become an exceptional college outside hitter.”
High School (Sickles): She lettered for her varsity squad at Sickles
High School all four years and during her sophomore and junior years
played on the first-ever elite Team Florida squad…during her senior year,
she was selected as the team MVP her and was among the scholastic players representing Florida at a high level tournament in Hawaii…she was an
All-State Honorable Mention selection in Class 4A and was selected to the
Western Conference First-Team as well as the American Division First
Team…as a senior she was selected to another Team Florida squad and
was selected for Western Conference First Team honors.
Club: Sandspurs…18-1 competed in Colorado Crossroads tournament,
Tampa Bay Qualifier, and Kansas City Hoosier Qualifier…with 17-1 squad,
competed in Indianapolis Qualifier, Tampa Bay Qualifier, Minneapolis
Qualifier, and Sports Performance National Junior Championships.
Personal: Born April 4, 1985…the daughter of Craig and Debbie
Vance…two sisters, Keri (15) and Sara (13).
Hurricanes celebrating the win over Duke in the 2002 NCAA Tournament.
16
Ann Gallo
Outlook for 2003: Gallo is an athletic, determined player who plays with a lot of heart and is a great leader on the
court…she joins a talented group that includes BIG EAST Conference
Libero of the Year hopeful Jamie Grass…“Ann is a great defensive player,” coach Nicole Lantagne Welch said. “She plays with a great deal of
heart and energy and she is an exceptional competitor with a will to
win.”
High School (Wheaton North): Played as a defensive specialist
throughout her scholastic career…all-area honorable mention selection
during both junior and senior years…all-conference special mention honoree during senior season…collected three varsity letters…helped lead
the Falcons to a regional championship during 2002 campaign and a
regional semifinal in 2001.
Club: West Suburban Volleyball Club…placed third in a field of 116
teams at the Mid East National Qualifier and also placed third out of 72
teams at the North East National Qualifier in Baltimore…during junior
year, competed in the Mid East National Qualifier, the Northern Lights
National Qualifiers, won Mayor Daly Sports Festival and Asics National
championships and placed third in the Junior Olympic Invitational in
Kentucky.
Personal: Born October 5, 1984…daughter of John and Rosemary
Gallo…one sister, Jean (23).