Turning Over A New Leaf

A standout on and off the court, and of course one of our Canespace favorites, Savanah Leaf was named a 2014 Capitol One Academic All-American.

Leaf was one of six members of the 2014 Capitol One Academic All-America Second team. The 2014 Capital One Academic All-America® Women's Volleyball Teams, selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America, recognizes the nation's top student-athletes for their combined performances athletically and in the classroom.  

A stellar student that was named First Team Academic All-District earlier this year, Leaf has earned a 3.89 cumulative GPA while pursuing a double major in psychology and human development. She earned distinction on the President’s Honor Roll in Spring 2013 for her perfect 4.0 semester GPA, as well as the Provost’s Honor Roll (3.75 GPA), Dean’s List Honor Roll (3.5 GPA), Athletic Director Honor Roll (3.2 GPA) and UM’s Book Buster Club (3.0 GPA) in Spring 2012, Spring 2013, Fall 2013 and Spring 2014. Leaf is a member of Omicron Delta Kappa, a national leadership honor society, and the National Society of Collegiate Scholars. Furthermore, she was named to the 2013 All-ACC Academic Volleyball Team and is a two-time ACC Honor Roll student-athlete.

Leaf was named to the AVCA East Coast All-Region team earlier this week after an outstanding season that resulted in being named ACC Player of the Year and to the All-ACC First Team. The San Anselmo, Calif., native finished the season with 4.65 kills/set, ranking 12^th in the country and atop the ACC. A talented outside hitter, she led the team leader in kills (502), kills/set (4.65) and points (5.33), while ranking second in attack percentage (.312), service aces (27) and digs (266), and third in blocks (83).

A Preseason All-ACC pick, Leaf was a three-time ACC Player of the Week during the 2014 season. She also joined an elite club at the University of Miami, surpassing 1,000 kills for her career. Leaf, who ranks fifth in program history with 1,194 kills, also set the program record for kills in a match and kills in an NCAA Tournament match when she recorded 31 kills in a five-set victory over UCF in the first round of this year’s tournament.

Comments

[1mg of Epi]

#top20talent
#bottom20results

[thirstybuzzardcane]

15th ranked D is a statistical FACT, whether one likes it or not.

Posted by: 30CINCO | December 12, 2014 at 01:31 PM
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Please factor in our poor special teams coverage! Of course your going to have good defensive stats (Total Yards) when your opponent starts from the 40 every time. I can count on 1 finger how many touchbacks we had this year!

[SinisterCane]

Do or Die for Golden in 2015

[86Cane]

Epi...just read the list I posted above and look where they were ranked in recruiting and draw your own conclusions.

For starters Spurrier, Strong, Beamer, Kelly went 6-6 ot 7-5 this year. As did the BIG time coaches at Tenn and TAMU.

Hoke and Muschamp got fired for going 5-7 and 6-5. But neither had the NCAA thing for 3 years as pointed out.

[30CINCO]

Is that why Miami lost to Maryland?

Posted by: The Dude | December 12, 2014 at 03:12 PM
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In 2011???

6 starters were suspended for the opener vs Maryland thanks to the "cloud".

So actually,YES, cloud is a big reason for that loss.

[Ohio_Cane]

Do or Die for Golden in 2015

Posted by: SinisterCane | December 12, 2014 at 03:19 PM
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No one can argue this.

[30CINCO]

Posted by: thirstybuzzardcane | December 12, 2014 at 03:19 PM
----------------------------------------------------
All of it factored in, still 14 ranked total defense.

[thirstybuzzardcane]

How many games does Golden have to win next year to keep his job? I say 9 to 10.

[1mg of Epi]

Soup... you are comparing coaches who've had bad years to a coach whose had a bad career.

[thirstybuzzardcane]

If Miami's D is down right awful against South Carolina, I expect D'no to get his pink slip!

[1mg of Epi]

You're also including first year coaches. Oh and lets not forget AG plays in the JV division of the weakest conference

[SinisterCane]

For the past 4 yrs. Golden has out-recruited everybody in the coastal and the best he could give us is last place in the coastal

[roachcane77]

http://canespace.typepad.com/canespace/2008/04/memories-and-ma.html
Posted by: SOUP | December 11, 2014 at 10:16 PM

Very nice. Great tribute.

[30CINCO]

Was The ACC The Nation's Best College Football Conference in 2014?

Conventional wisdom, eyeballs and recruiting rankings suggest the SEC is the superior conference. However, looking at non-conference performance this season. That wasn’t the case. Inter-conference collisions are rare, meaning data is imperfect and limited. But, perusing the non-conference results for 2014, the nation’s most impressive conference was the oft-maligned ACC.

Here’s a ranking of the Power 5 conferences. We tabulated their records against other Power 5 teams and Top 50 teams using Sports Reference’s SRS rankings. We also noted non-conference losses to teams outside the SRS Top 60. (We see you, Big Ten) Notre Dame was lumped in as a Power 5 team.

http://thebiglead.com/2014/12/03/was-the-acc-the-nations-best-college-football-conference-in-2014/

[Go Canes]

The Dude | December 12, 2014 at 03:12 PM

I'm pretty sure that happened because we had eight starters suspended.

[1mg of Epi]

I can understand if someone thinks AG deserves another year because he was lied to re: Nevin Shapiro. I don't agree, but I understand. On the other hand, To argue that AG deserves another year because he has demonstrated competency... No. There is no evidence of that beyond recruiting. In fact, it would be much easier to make a solid case that Al is in way over is head. A case backed up w examples and instances of his work on the field.

Al has plenty of supporters around the program who are more than happy to go on the radio or TV and tell us he deserves more time. Not a single one of them will give a football reason, or site examples of work on the field. None of them say he's a good coach. Just that he's a coach who was lied to.

If you guys wanna argue that we owe him time because of the cloud.. Ok. But don't dumb the conversation down by trying to persuade anyone that he's a good coach.

[SinisterCane]

Anybody can find stats fore/against Golden, this is why you should judge him by win/losses.

[SinisterCane]

Career Record: 9 Years, 55-55

Bowl Record: 2 Bowls, 0-2,

[SinisterCane]

Maybe old news but David Njoku has been moved to TE

[SinisterCane]

Did anybody from the Admin go to The U part 2 premiere?

[Ohio_Cane]

Maybe old news but David Njoku has been moved to TE

Posted by: SinisterCane | December 12, 2014 at 03:55 PM
------------------------------------------

Saw that. Was only a matter of time for him and Gayot to be moved where we thought they'd be moved.

[30CINCO]

Note to Billy Corben/Alfred Spellman: Thanks for the memories! (the rest of U tune in at 9 p.m. Saturday)

Tonight, I asked filmmaker Billy Corben which of his ESPN "30 for 30" documentaries was his favorite: The U, or the world premiere sequel, The U Part 2 – the one that about 400 folks watched Thursday at The Colony Theater on Lincoln Road in Miami Beach.

I savored The U Part 2, my favorite, but that’s understandable, because those were the years I started covering University of Miami football – right there along with the introduction of Butch Davis as head coach in 1995.

So for me, this movie, produced by Alfred Spellman as well as Corben, was my easy choice.

Billy had a more diplomatic answer.

“Listen,’’ he said, after a hearty, laugh-tinged, “Oh!

"Movies are like children. You have your favorites, but you don’t tell anybody which one.’’

And as millions of college football fans and Hurricanes aficionadas anxiously await the first nationally televised showing of 30 for 30: The U Part II at 9 p.m. Saturday following the Heisman Trophy ceremony, Corben will keep tinkering with it until it’s time to air.

“We’re going back to the office and we’re going to finish it,’’ said Corben, who might break a world record for no sleep. “I mean there’s a bunch of things we’ve got to tweak. It’s the longest stretch I’ve had without the movie, which was on the plane ride [back from Bristol, Connecticut, home of ESPN]. We’ve been living with this for six months. It helps to get a little distance and objectivity to be able to say, ‘What can we do to tweak it?’ We’ve got a few things to do tonight.

“We’ve got like 36 hours, right? So, we’ve got plenty of time!’’

Continued Corben: “This is great. The turnout is unbelievable. [FIU Athletic Director] Pete Garcia is here, which is awesome. Go Fighting GEDs! Or whatever the hell that FIU team is!

“The chaos outside – and inside – has kind of like an Orange Bowl vibe to it. It kind of has an Orange Bowl smell to it, too, now that I think of it.”

The night was pure joy, from reconnecting with Butch Davis and Garcia, who came together and sat next to me, to seeing the guys I spent the glory years covering: Randy Phillips, Joaquin Gonzalez. Sherko Haji-Rasouli, Javon Nanton, Bryant McKinnie, Brett Romberg, Phillip Buchanan and dear, dear Donnie Soldinger and Phyllis (phenomenal, old-school coach and his wonderful wife – an amazing couple).

Former UM defensive line coach Greg Mark and his wife were there, and Uncle Luke (didn’t even see him), Canes classic Harry Rothwell and his son, Larry Milian and his son, former UM baseball star Javy Rodriguez, my colleagues Dan LeBatard and Papi, beat writers in crime Matt Porter and Christy Cabrera Chirinos and goodness knows how many others I missed.

I asked Butch Davis how he felt about being there.

“It feels great. I’m excited about it,’’ Davis said. “It has been a terrific project. I hope it’s as successful as the first one. The few days I got a chance to talk to Billy about it and actually do some of the interviews I had a chance to run into Najeh Davenport and a lot of those guys. And I kind of helped Billy a little, tiny bit with some of the guys he was having a hard time getting in touch with – Kellen Winslow, Jr., he was down living in Austin.”

I asked Butch, if given the opportunity, would he ever return to the Hurricanes to coach. He avoided that question (I think the answer, in my opinion, is yes). He did, however, gush about his time with the Canes.

“I want to coach again someplace,” he said. “I’d love to have an opportunity to coach. It will come out in the movie. The 11 years I spent coaching in Miami were probably the greatest, most instrumental years that happened in my life. I am so grateful that Jimmy Johnson brought me to Miami and gave me a chance to be an assistant coach here and come back and be a head coach.

“Almost everything that I was ever able to accomplish as a coach, its roots took place in Miami. I am grateful for having been here.’’

Now, for the movie, I just LOVED all of it. SO MANY MEMORIES!! I was at every one of those games – from Edgerrin James’ UCLA explosion to the Syracuse stinker in the Carrier Dome to the Washington whipping in the Orange Bowl to the Washington loss that preceded the 34-game winning streak to the Rose Bowl national championship to the Fiesta Bowl national… Oops. I mean, double-overtime loss.

And so on, and so on.

Donnie Soldinger was terrific in the movie (so much heart), Davis was an excellent narrator of sorts, and the players were compelling, funny, forthright, intriguing to watch and hear. Even Kellen Winslow ranting (Guess who asked him the question that got him going on his famous rant? Haha) struck a chord.

Al Blades’ wild hair made me laugh (and feel melancholy) and Santana Moss and little bro Sinorice are two of my favorites.

Watching Nevin Shapiro run out of the smoke-filled tunnel was pathetic, as was watching the Canes get that pass interference called on poor Glenn Sharpe.

Re things that are yellow and fly: Billy, the ending was terrific.

I would go into more specifics, but guess what people? I have University of Miami bowl practice numero uno at 9:30 a.m. Friday – and guess what time it is now?

3:40 a.m.

So, I must try to sleep now for a very few hours. then head to cover The U: Part (fill in the blank) at Greentree Field.

Good night everyone.

And thank you again, Billy and Alfred.

It’s all about you – and the U.

SUSAN MILLER DEGNAN

[Go Canes]

Career Record: 9 Years, 55-55

Bowl Record: 2 Bowls, 0-2,

Posted by: SinisterCane | December 12, 2014 at 03:50 PM

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I wonder what Temple and Miami's combined records were in the 55 games each before he got there?

[1mg of Epi]

Go canes... So you're saying AG is as bad as the last guy. Ok

[1mg of Epi]

That's the problem we keep hiring bad coaches.

[SinisterCane]

Posted by: Go Canes | December 12, 2014 at 04:21 PM

Golden was 27-43 at Temple before he came to UM

Shannon was 28-22 before Golden arrive.

[SinisterCane]

^^^^^^^^
Golden was 27-34 at Temple before he came to UM

[The Dude]

Continued Corben: “This is great. The turnout is unbelievable. [FIU Athletic Director] Pete Garcia is here, which is awesome. Go Fighting GEDs! Or whatever the hell that FIU team is!

Posted by: 30CINCO | December 12, 2014 at 04:09 PM

OOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHH!!!!!! Slam.

[Ohio_Cane]

Golden's record at Temple is irrelevant considering he took over a team that went 0-12 just about every year lol

[The Dude]

Year four, 6-6, no further statements your Honor.

[Go Canes]

Very interesting read. Sounds familiar.

@ChristyChirinos: Our @davehydesports talks #Canes football, money & more with @alonzohighsmith. It's quality reading, as you'd expect: http://t.co/wClkXBkBUi

[Go Canes]

Posted by: Ohio_Cane | December 12, 2014 at 04:53 PM

yep.

[dj moonbat]

I wonder what Temple and Miami's combined records were in the 55 games each before he got there?

Posted by: Go Canes | December 12, 2014 at 04:21 PM

And I wonder when you'll actually answer a question directly yourself. Suck it.

[Da U N Houston]

Do or Die for Golden in 2015

Posted by: SinisterCane | December 12, 2014 at 03:19 PM

Understatement!!!

[Da U N Houston]

How many games does Golden have to win next year to keep his job? I say 9 to 10.

Posted by: thirstybuzzardcane | December 12, 2014 at 03:25 PM

Has to win the ACC, point blank!! Even if he makes it to the championship game and loses, if another coach is available he has to go.

[dj moonbat]

Go canes... So you're saying AG is as bad as the last guy. Ok

Posted by: 1mg of Epi | December 12, 2014 at 04:42 PM

Show me where he said that. Lol.

[Go Canes]

What question?

[1mg of Epi]

Lol that was my interpretation of what was said, because nothing was actually said. Ever.

[86Cane]

Show me where he said that. Lol.

Posted by: dj moonbat | December 12, 2014 at 05:12 PM

I think his position is perfectly clear. LOL

[Go Canes]

Posted by: 86Cane | December 12, 2014 at 05:24 PM

I don't understand what's so confusing about it. Really.

[dj moonbat]

What question?

Posted by: Go Canes | December 12, 2014 at 05:20 PM

Precisely. Who's on first, what's on second, perfectly clear's on third...

[AeroCane]

Guys - golden sucks! Time to move on. If we keep him in 2015 it will be more of the same. Below average. (And I know some will say, 6-6 is average - Not when 2 of the wins were gimmies, and we still can't win the freakin Coastal)! Fire him already and move on. I can't stand watching this team and him standing on the sidelines anymore.

[The Dude]

Why do people think that Al would be fired in 2015 if he went 7-5? Seems funny to me. Miami is as happy as pigs in sh*t right now with 6 wins. Miami's only hope is that James Franklin goes to the NFL. Another hope is if the new president cares about football.

[The Dude]

Anyone actually think it's worse for Duke to come back?

[dj moonbat]

Why do people think that Al would be fired in 2015 if he went 7-5? Seems funny to me. Miami is as happy as pigs in sh*t right now with 6 wins. Miami's only hope is that James Franklin goes to the NFL. Another hope is if the new president cares about football.

Posted by: The Dude | December 12, 2014 at 05:45 PM

I think 7-5 might get him fired. But 8-4, no way. Improvement. Then, if he goes 6-6 or 5-7, it's characterized as a momentary setback amid all that improvement. Etc.

[dj moonbat]

Anyone actually think it's worse for Duke to come back?

Posted by: The Dude | December 12, 2014 at 05:49 PM

It's definitely worse for Duke to come back.

If he's coming back it's his last chance to win a championship, that shows he's suffered terrible brain damage.

He's more likely to have an injury than he is to have a season better than this one. And who's to say there won't be some other Melvin Gordon type next year?

Duke has shown the NFL what he can do. The fact that the NFL doesn't place the same value on that they once did is a bummer, but it's not going to change this offseason.

[Go Canes]

@CanesWarningFS: Canes OL commit RT“@CNee247: Added a couple new pics of @Bloft_72 http://t.co/N6dOwQmvwR via @247Sports http://t.co/5TnOByK54x”

[The Dude]

If Duke comes back does Miami lose a RB commit?

[Go Canes]

@ESPNCFB: Ole Miss coach Hugh Freeze earned a big raise & will make $4.3 million next season. » http://t.co/SSGPOfc4XC http://t.co/DoHWXJIt8d

[Go Canes]

@CanesWarningFS: ALL HE DOES IS SCORE TOUCHDOWNS RT“@FlaHSFootball: TOUCHDOWN Aquinas! 39 yard TD run by Jordan Scarlett! #flhsfb”