Hurricanes Volleyball Hosts FAU on Tuesday Night
Oct. 6, 2008
Coral Gables, Fla. –
The University of Miami volleyball team gears up for their first home contest since Sept. 19 when they host non-conference opponent Florida Atlantic University on Tuesday in the James L. Knight Sports Complex at 7 p.m.
The Hurricanes have been on the road for five consecutive matches, and have not enjoyed a home match since a 3-1 victory over Florida State on Sept. 19. In fact, through the first 16 matches of the season, Miami has played 12 of those contests away from the friendly confines of Coral Gables. That marks the longest stint of games away from Coral Gables since 1980 when the `Canes played 20 of their first 23 matches on the road.
After playing host to the Owls of FAU, Miami jumps back into ACC waters as they host Boston College (Oct. 10), Maryland (Oct. 12), N.C. State (Oct. 17) and North Carolina (Oct. 18) in consecutive matches, capping off a stretch of five straight home contests.
THE FACTS…
The University of Miami steps out of Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) play on Tuesday night when they host south Florida rival Florida Atlantic University at the James L. Knight Sports Complex. The Hurricanes are making their return home after a five-match road swing in conference waters.
Tuesday’s match kick-starts a five-match home stand for the Orange and Green. The `Canes haven’t played at home since a 3-1 win over rival Florida State on Sept. 19.
This is the second meeting this season between the Hurricanes and Owls after UM took a 3-0 victory in Boca Raton back on Sept. 20.
Miami broke a two-match losing skid in the ACC over the weekend with a 3-1 victory over Georgia Tech in Atlanta. For the `Canes, it was their first win over the Yellow Jackets in four matches. Three UM players had double-doubles in the match.
Miami will take on Boston College and Maryland in upcoming matches this weekend. Both matches will be at home in the Knight Sports Complex.
ON FLORIDA ATLANTIC…
Florida Atlantic University, known as FAU, utilizes two setters and plenty of offense to get them going. The Owls may be just 9-6 (2-2 Sun Belt), but they are a young team with plenty of talent. Casey LaRocca is the normal setter as she sets up both Krystena Castro and Morgan Johns for kills. Castro leads Johns by the slimmest of margins 156 to 155 in kills. Defense is not a problem with Kala Abdell (139 digs) and Mallory Deneen (126 digs) sharing the load.
MIAMI VS. FAU SERIES…
Miami leads the all-time series against FAU, 6-1. The two teams played earlier this year at the FAU Arena on Sept. 20 with the `Canes taking a 3-0 decision over their south Florida counterparts from Boca Raton.
ROAD WARRIORS…
The Hurricanes are truly starting to look for homes away from home. UM has played just four of their first 16 matches of the year at home in the James L. Knight Sports Complex. The Hurricanes are starting to feel at ease on the road as home may feel strange this week at they welcome five consecutive home matches over the course of the next week and a half.
OUT OF THE WOODS…
Redshirt senior right side hitter Ashley Woods (Round Rock, Texas) tied a career-high over the weekend with 15 kills in a win at Georgia Tech. Her previous career-high was a 15-kill outing at Maryland back on Oct. 13, 2007. On Saturday, Woods assisted the Hurricanes in winning their first match against the Yellow Jackets in four tries, including their first win at GT since 2005.
TRACKING LOESSBERG AND THE DIGS…
Junior libero Cassie Loessberg continues to jump up the charts this season as she now has 263 digs on the campaign, upping her career total to 1,133. That sets Loessberg at second place all-time in UM history behind Jamie Grass (2001-04) with 1,621 digs under her belt. Throughout the year, we will continue to track Loessberg in her goal to become the all-time leading digs collector at UM.
