A Message From The Athletics Director - October
Hurricane Fans,
As we close in on November, there is a sense of excitement and anticipation surrounding Miami Athletics. Our fall sports are pointing towards the postseason, while our basketball teams are gearing up for the tipoff of their seasons.
Men’s basketball just returned from ACC Operation Basketball in Charlotte, where head coach Jim Larrañaga, junior forward Dewan Hernandez (formerly Huell) and senior guard Anthony Lawrence II met with media from across the country to preview the upcoming season. Coach Larrañaga has led UM to three straight NCAA Tournament berths and is once again excited about the potential for this year’s squad. The Hurricanes face Barry in an exhibition game at Watsco Center on Tuesday, October 30, before tipping off the regular season at home against Lehigh on Friday, November 9 at 7 p.m.
Katie Meier’s women’s basketball team is looking to return to the NCAAs for the eighth time in the past nine years. The Hurricanes return three starters, and welcome back four players who sat out last season, including guard Laura Cornelius, who is returning from injury, and forward Beatrice Mompremier — a Baylor transfer and Miami native. The Hurricanes host Nova Southeastern in an exhibition content on Monday, October 29, before opening the regular season at FIU on Tuesday, November 6. Our home opener is Friday, November 9, against Stephen F. Austin at 11 a.m.
Season tickets for both teams are on sale now. If you haven’t secured your seats call 1-800-GO-CANES or visit hurricanesports.com/tickets. We can’t wait to see you at Watsco Center from now until March!
Our football team heads to Beantown this week for a big conference tilt with Boston College. Both teams are 5-2 overall and 2-1 in ACC play. The game will be nationally televised on ESPN on Friday night at 7 p.m. If you can’t join us in Boston make sure you’re tuned in to root on the Canes!
Several of our student-athletes have been recognized for their efforts through the midpoint of the football season. Senior defensive tackle Gerald Willis III earned Midseason All-America honors from the Associated Press and ESPN, in addition to ESPN Midseason All-ACC honors. Senior safety Jaquan Johnson and junior linebacker Shaquille Quarterman also earned ESPN All-ACC accolades. Freshman tight end Brevin Jordan made ESPN’s All-ACC and Freshman All-America teams, as well as 247 Sports’ True Freshman All-America squad. Congrats to all for a terrific first half to the season!
Our volleyball team is coming off a thrilling, 3-2 victory over Florida State Wednesday night, which improves the Hurricanes’ record to 12-6 overall and 8-3 in the ACC. Keno Gandara’s squad continues conference play Friday night at Knight Gym against Virginia Tech at 7 p.m. We hope to see you there!
Cross Country is also heading to Boston this weekend for the ACC Championships at Franklin Park. The women’s 6K race takes place Friday at 10 a.m., followed by the men’s 8K race at 11 a.m. Good luck to all of our runners as they attempt to qualify for NCAAs!
Our soccer team lost a tough pair of games in the Triangle last weekend, dropping a 1-0 contest to NC State and falling 2-0 to third-ranked North Carolina. Senior goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce continued her stellar season with a program-record 17 saves against the Tar Heels. Please come out to Cobb Stadium to cheer on Phallon and the rest of our seniors in their final home game against Florida State Thursday night at 7 p.m.
Our swimming and diving team competed in Atlanta this past weekend, defeating Florida Gulf Coast and Savannah College of Art & Design before dropping tri-meet matchups with Notre Dame and host Georgia Tech. Next up for the Hurricanes is a home meet against Boston College on Friday, November 2. Come check out the Canes at Norman Whitten Pool!
Both tennis squads competed at the ITA Southeast Regionals in Georgia last week. On the men’s side, sophomore Adria Soriano Barrera advanced all the way to the finals, which means he qualifies for the ITA Fall Championships next month in Arizona. Our women’s team posted a 10-6 overall record with senior Ana Madcur advancing to the quarterfinals. Congratulations to both teams on a great showing!
In their lone fall regatta, our rowing team earned four medals, including the gold in the Open Collegiate 8+ race, at the Head of the Indian Creek in Miami Beach. Dave Sanderson’s squad now turns its attention to training for the spring.
Dewi Weber continues to march towards her professional golf dreams as she advanced last week in the LPGA Tour Qualifying School. Dewi carded a three-under 285, finishing tied for 13th out of 192 competitors in Venice, Fla. Next up is the third and final stage in Pinehurst, N.C., where a minimum of the top-45 players and ties will receive LPGA membership for 2019. Good luck to Dewi this week!
Congratulations to Canes baseball legend Alex Cora, who in his first season as manager has guided the Boston Red Sox to the World Series. The Red Sox are squaring off against the Los Angeles Dodgers, who feature former Canes catcher Yasmani Grandel on their roster. Your first chance to see this year’s Hurricanes is this Saturday at 1 p.m. as Gino DiMare’s squad welcomes FAU for a fall exhibition game. See you at The Light!
On October 11, we had a magnificent dedication ceremony for the new Carol Soffer Indoor Practice Facility, featuring more than 400 attendees, including campus leaders, city leaders, donors and former players. I want to again extend my heartfelt thanks to Carol and her family for the lead gift for the facility. We have raised more than $36 million but are not done yet — and we still need your support. Your donations will ensure that this facility continues to be one of the best in the country. Visit Give2IPF.com to pledge your support.
Our Building Women Champions campaign continues to build momentum. The campaign is an initiative that will enhance scholarship support, leadership development and career coaching for Hurricane female student-athletes. Please visit buildingwomenchampions.com to learn how you can help.
For the latest information on each of our varsity teams, please be sure to visit HurricaneSports.com or follow us on Twitter @MiamiHurricanes. We hope to see you cheering on the Canes at home and on the road in the weeks to come. Enjoy this month’s magazine!
Go Canes!
Blake James
