Numerous people deserve credit for the amazing 25 match win streak of the Hurricane women’s volleyball team. The streak has truly been the result of a team effort. One of the key players on the squad who is the epitome of a “team player” is sophomore outside hitter/libero Jaime Grass.

Grass, one of the leaders of a relatively young team, brings a lot of experience to the table. At Mira Costa High School in Manhattan Beach, CA she guided her team to the Bay League Championship three years in a row. She also is one of few college volleyball players with a second place finish in the 2001 Junior Olympics in Sydney, Australia to her credit.

“The Junior Olympics in Sydney was probably my biggest accomplishment thus far, at least on the beach,” Grass said. “As a California girl, I love the beach volleyball style of play. This season’s win streak has been my favorite indoor experience though.”

As a freshman last year, Grass started in 21 matches and played in 84 total games. She averaged a team-high 3.32 digs and collected 279 digs overall. Grass was also second in assists (450) and third in aces (29).

In Grass’s mind, what makes this year’s team better than last year’s is that there is less of an age gap and everyone on the roster contributes.

“Last year’s team had a large gap between freshmen and seniors,” Grass said. “This year we have a more balanced team and all of the freshmen have been gaining experience.”

When you are a member of a team that has had a long win streak, it adds a world of pressure to each match. Grass doesn’t feel any differently at all, however, when she steps on the court now as opposed to any other matches she has played in the past.

“I try not to think like that,” Grass said. “I am very proud of what we have accomplished and I know that we can’t predict our next loss so we can’t afford to worry about it [the streak].”

Grass’s goals for the season involve a winning season, a Big East title, and an NCAA tournament berth. All of these are extremely attainable and tie in to the team’s main objective.

“As a team we just need to keep improving,” Grass said. “The streak is great and all, but our main focus is on continuing to get better.”

Grass admits that there isn’t a single team in the Big East that she fears, but she is especially looking forward to two upcoming matches.

“A big match for me is on October 11 against Rutgers,” Grass said. “I have many friends that play for Rutgers, and I hope to see a large turnout for that match. I also am looking forward to playing Notre Dame, who is always tough.”

As the old saying goes, “all good things must come to an end.” Eventually, the

Hurricane volleyball team may drop a match or two, but the ladies deserve recognition from both the school and the national media for what they have accomplished. While she may not admit it herself, Jaime Grass also deserves credit for always putting the team first and serving as one of the leaders of a squad destined for greatness.

You can reach Eric Kalis at elk777bc@hotmail.com.

Holding Boston College to 138 yards passing two weeks ago and shutting down the Gators earlier this season, University of Miami’s secondary unit deserves national recognition. Led by safety Maurice Sikes, the Hurricanes allow an average of only 131 yards per game.

“We’re having fun,” Sikes said. “And I think when you are having fun a lot of things take care of themselves. Being third in the nation in pass defense is pretty solid, and not only are we, as players, working hard for it, but I think it’s a tribute to our coach as well.”

Maurice Sikes led the team for the second straight game with 11 tackles against Boston College, including six solos and five assisted. He also forced a fumble and a deflected a pass.

“We have outstanding linebackers helping us, and the defensive line as well. It’s a whole group effort that gets the win. We come out to practice everyday and try to improve one thing; if you can do that, then every day you are just getting better as a whole,” Sikes said.

Born and raised in Miami, which seems to be the norm for several Hurricane players, Sikes chose Miami over Florida and Alabama. He explained how he did not like former UF head coach Steve Spurrier’s customs or attitude, which veered him away from choosing University of Florida. On the contrary, the reason for wanting to attend University of Alabama was because of his admiration towards the coach.

“The only reason I liked Alabama was because of their coach Mike DuBose. My number one interest was FSU when he was there, but he then went to Alabama. Obviously you can’t go to a school for one person. UM had everything I liked; academics, a good coach, and I also knew a few of the players that were coming here. It ended up being an easy choice.”

In his sophomore year, lurking in the shadow of Ed Reed, Sikes did not see much playing time. However, when he put on his game face, he excelled with Miami’s kickoff coverage unit as one of the most physical players on special teams.

“This is his moment in the sun, this is his opportunity,” said head coach Larry Coker. “He’s been behind Ed Reed, and now this is his time. This is his season.”

Three weeks ago against the Temple Owls, Sikes blocked a punt and put the spotlight on the special teams unit. He admitted that it is something he loves to do, and wanted to accomplish this year.

“Our special teams is great and I love being apart of that group. We practice blocking punts before practice, during practice and sometimes after practice. We take a lot of time practicing that because we feel that it could change the momentum of a game.”

The game against University of Florida proved to be a big game for him as well. At the end of the third quarter, Sikes intercepted an intended touchdown pass, and ran 97 yards to the ‘Canes end zone to put Miami up 27-16.

“It just happened to come in a big game, at the right possible time,” Sikes said. “It was a big deal to me because we won the game, and we got to showcase our talent a little more.”

Sikes’ interception could be compared to a similar play last year: Ed Reed’s long touchdown return off a tipped pass to preserve a victory for the Hurricanes over Boston College. Since he has taken Ed Reed’s position, they are often compared, and Sikes seems to have lived up to the expectations, and then some.

“I’ve been working hard since I have been here, I just haven’t had the opportunity to show it. You just have to wait your turn, and when it is your turn, you just got to play to the best of your ability.”

After the win against the Gators, Maurice Sikes shared Big East Honors of the Week with Todd Sievers and Willis McGahee. It was his first time receiving this honor.

“If everyone is doing well, then they usually pick someone and say that that’s the person who made them win. But it was really everyone. Big East Honor is a great honor though, and I accept it.”

Former UM players seem to keep their connection to their college years, even after graduating, by making special appearances at the games. Coming out to the BC game was Phillip Buchanon, Ed Reed, and James Lewis. Reed gave Sikes a pep talk about tackling before the game, and the other alumni conversed with the current ‘Canes as well. Sikes stated that the former players are highly accessible, all you have to do is call them up, ask for advice, and they will guide you in the right direction.

Linebacker Jonathan Vilma and Sikes work hand in hand together and are both excelling this season. Sikes, with 25 tackles, is second on the team behind number one Vilma with 30 tackles.

“I think he’s a pro-player right now,” Sikes says about Vilma. “Just mentally, the guy gets up for the game and he knows what he has to do. He makes all the front calls and I make all the back calls. I am just happy to be his teammate, because he is an awesome guy and an awesome player.”

After a week off, Sikes and the ‘Canes welcome the University of Connecticut Huskies to the Orange Bowl for the first time tomorrow night. Never having seen the Huskies play in person, being that this is their first meeting with the ‘Canes, a lot of film has been studied. Many let downs have occurred in the nation this past weekend, and Miami is not about to overlook any team.

“We are just going to come out and perform well and hope we get another win,” says Sikes. “I feel that we haven’t even played to the best of our ability yet. But I strive for us to be number one in the nation and I just want another ring, period.”

You can reach Dana Strokovsky at Hoopg1rl6@aol.com.

The University of Miami cross country team has two main reasons for believing in themselves. Those reasons are team leaders Dan Boniface and Matt Mulvaney. Mulvaney led the Hurricanes at the Great American Cross Country festival with his 56th place finish this past weekend.

Mulvaney, a junior, came to UM from South Hadley, MA, where he ran in high school. Mulvaney has improved a lot since his high school days.

“When we first started out, he was a minute and a half behind me. He has trained with great runners in Boulder, CO, and has doubled his mileage from high school,” said senior teammate Dan Boniface.

Mulvaney has made great strides since he played in high school. No one knows that better than his coach, Mike Ward.

“Matt was just a decent high school runner, but not outstanding. However, last year was his breakthrough year. He qualified for the Big East championships and finished ninth there,” said Coach Ward.

Mulvaney’s success on the track is amazing, especially considering all the things that he deals with everyday. Mulvaney is the only athlete at the university that is in the school of music. The school of music is very time demanding, but Mulvaney finds a way to balance that, a frat (Sigma Phi Epsilon), and athletics.

“The school told me I could not be in the school of music and do cross country because it was too time consuming. I’ve managed to do it by hard work and being able to work out conflicts well in advance,” said Mulvaney.

As far as being in a frat goes, his teammates and coach try to give him a hard time about it. With all the other things on his plate, finding time for the frat is sometimes difficult, but Mulvaney finds a way to do it.

“I’m very diligent in how I approach things. I’m definitely kept really busy, but I’ve met some of my best friends through Sig Ep, and I try to be as involved as possible,” said Mulvaney.

The way that Mulvaney is able to balance a frat, the school of music, and cross country comes from traits that he attributes to his mother. He knows he would not be where he is today without the help of his parents, especially his mom.

“I wouldn’t be here today without my mom. She took care of me, and she taught me organization, that allows me to do all these things at once,” said Mulvaney.

Mulvaney and Boniface both have personal goals of doing well in the Big East championship, and eclipsing the school record mark of 24:37, a mark both athletes have come close to.

“You don’t expect him to be everything that he is. Matt is a small guy, and you just don’t see him coming,” said Boniface.

One of the things that make Mulvaney great is his competitiveness, hard work, and desire to succeed.

“Matt is hungry to beat people and to do his best,” said Ward.

The Canes hope for success rides highly on Boniface and Mulvaney doing just that, beating their opponents in races. Their styles are different, as Boniface likes to get out early and set the pace, while Mulvaney will make his move towards the middle of the pack.

“They have to run extremely well every week for us to be successful,” said Ward.

If they can do that, the Canes will represent themselves very nicely in the Big East championships.

You can reach Darren Grossman at drg215@aol.com.

After finishing 21st last weekend in the Great American Cross Country Festival in North Carolina, the Miami men’s cross country team looks to improve upon their poor performance in tomorrow’s University of Florida Gator Invitational in Gainesville.

The meet is a preview for the SEC championships, which will be held at Florida at the end of the season. Top SEC teams such as Florida, Tennessee, and Kentucky will compete, as well as Miami and Florida State.

“Tennessee, UF, and FSU are all very good teams in our South Region,” said senior captain Dan Boniface. “We know we have the ability to compete with them and have a better showing than last week.”

The race will be run on the University of Florida golf course, which is made up of slightly rolling hills and manicured fairways. The course should not give the Hurricanes trouble, unless of course it rains, which was the result last week in Charlotte.

“We do most of our training on golf courses, so we should be prepared for the course at UF,” Boniface said. “It is a fast course that has more hills than anything we race on down here. Hopefully the weather conditions will be in our favor.”

The Hurricanes struggled last week against the likes of national powerhouses No. 5 Northern Arizona (team title winner), No. 7 North Carolina State, No. 8 Georgetown, No. 16 Colorado State, No. 19 Duke, and No. 23 Butler. The rainy weather made for horrible running conditions on an unconventional course.

The Hurricanes’ No. 2 runner, junior Matt Mulvaney, placed the best for Miami at No. 56, while team captain and No. 1 runner, Boniface, finished No. 72.

“The competition will not be as tough as last week, so I would like to work together with Matt and be near the front of the pack,” Boniface said. “We can beat these teams. On any given day, myself or Matt can win.”

Mulvaney defeated every runner from the NCAA South Region in the Great American Festival last week, except for South Florida’s Andrew Smith. In order to qualify for the NCAA Championships as an individual, a runner must be amongst the top four individuals not on a qualifying team at the NCAA South Regional race on Nov. 16, in Knoxville, Tenn. Mulvaney’s performance last week would indicate a legitimate shot at qualifying individually this season.

Miami must compete tomorrow without the services of No. 5 runner, freshman Matt “The Moose” Maloney, who will travel home to New Hampshire this weekend due to a death in the family. Miami will look to sophomore Billy Bludgus to step up in Maloney’s place.

“We will need a big race from Billy,” Boniface said. “Matt (Maloney) has to take care of things at home, which is clearly more important than a race.”

The ‘Canes hope to come home from state rival Florida with good results in order to be better prepared for the eventual Big East Championships on Nov. 1.

You can reach Brian Poliakoff at b.poliakoff@umiami.edu.