Miami Volleyball Stopped by Duke, 3-0
Nov. 8, 2009
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Coral Gables, Fla. – Despite a double-double effort from sophomore Lane Carico, the University of Miami volleyball team fell to ACC foe Duke University, 3-0 (25-17, 25-12, 25-18), on Sunday afternoon at the James L. Knight Sports Complex in Coral Gables, Fla.
Throughout the match, the University of Miami Department of Athletics held a book drive supporting the South Florida Urban Ministries. Fans attending the match were encouraged to bring books for middle school youth in and around the Miami-Dade community. According to Assistant Athletic Director Amy Ferguson of the Hurricane Club, a total of 200 books were donated on the day. Most of the books were donated from a local girl scout troop in attendance cheering for the Hurricanes.
On the hardwood, Miami (15-10, 8-7 ACC) was just unable to slow a Duke offense that is rated among the best in the Atlantic Coast Conference in kills and hitting percentage.
Duke (22-5, 12-3 ACC) hit .371 as a team in the opening set, using four kills apiece from Rachael Moss and setter Kellie Catanach to collect the 25-17 opener. Miami trailed just 7-5 in the beginning until a kill from the Blue Devils’ Sophia Dunworth began a 13-3 Duke run which widened its lead at 20-8. The run was eventually stopped on the strength of a Christine Williamson kill.
Miami got three kills from sophomore Ali Becker in the first set, as she also chipped in with two blocks.
In the second set, UM was forced into six attack errors while Duke countered with a .483 clip (14-0-29) in the frame to collect the 25-12 victory. Rachael Moss posted four of her 11 kills in the match for the Blue Devils in the set, while teammate Amanda Robertson added four of her own. For UM, the `Canes were unable to find the hitting touch in the second set, but two kills from Carico and Williamson provided the highlights.
The third set saw nine ties and two lead changes as the Hurricanes returned from the intermission with renewed confidence and vigor. Carico stamped seven kills in the set while libero Cassie Loessberg reeled in five digs to keep Miami close throughout.
With the score sitting at 14-14, Duke’s Moss placed a kill to begin a 3-0 run that was just enough to give her team an edge Miami was unable to battle back from. Blocks from Catanach and Dunworth ended the set, 25-18, allowing the Blue Devils the road victory.
Duke was led in the match by Moss with a match-high tying performance of 11 kills, adding three service aces and eight digs. Christiana Gray provided eight kills and seven blocks (six assisted). As a team, the Blue Devils collected 11 blocks while Miami was held to just three.
UM was led by Carico’s 11 kills and 11 digs, giving the Manhattan Beach, Calif., native her 15th double-double effort of the season. She ended the 2008 campaign, in which she was named ACC and AVCA East Region Freshman of the Year, with a total of 16.
Behind Carico was Williamson with six kills, two digs and a block assist. Loessberg pulled in a team-high 16 digs to lead the defensive efforts.
Miami returns to action Friday, Nov. 13 when it travels to Georgia Tech. First serve is set for 6 p.m. Eastern.
For more information on the University of Miami Volleyball team, please log on to www.hurricanesports.com. Once there, you will find up-to-date news, stats and information regarding the Hurricanes Volleyball program.
