On To Nebraska
Dec. 7, 2002
MADISON, Wis. (www.hurricanesports.com) – – The University of Miami has accomplished a lot of “firsts” in its second season of play, but none more significant so far than Saturday night’s win over host Wisconsin in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
The Hurricanes defeated the Badgers 30-25, 20-30, 30-21, 30-22.
In front of a crowd estimated at 2,500 strong, the Hurricanes did the unthinkable, defeating the tournament’s 14th-seeded Badgers in four games and seizing a berth in the regional-semifinal against Nebraska.
The Badgers had everything going for them, a strong tradition, the home crowd, and a bevy of talented and experienced players. The Hurricanes, meanwhile, are the BIG EAST Conference’s nouveau riche in their first post-season campaign, on the road, with but one senior on their roster.
In the first game of the match, the Badgers were stunned by the performance of BIG EAST Player of the Year Valeria Tipiana (Lima, Peru), who stung Wisconsin with six kills on eight swings. The sophomore outside hitter also frustrated Wisconsin’s offense with five digs.
Although the Badgers climbed high enough to tie several times in the game’s early goings, the Hurricanes sustained the lead throughout en route to a 30-25 finish.
UM never developed an extended run, however the Hurricanes continually kept the lead just out of reach.The Hurricanes were forced to concede five kills to Erin Byrd, but defended the unanimous First Team All-Big 10 selection well, relegating her to a .333 hitting percentage.
The Hurricanes were victimized by a number of miscues in the second game and a reinvigorated Badger side that swung for an outstanding .472 team hitting percentage. Outside hitter Jill Odenthal accounted for the upward spike in efficiency knocking down seven kills in nine attacks (.778 hitting percentage) as the Badgers took game two 30-20.
The Hurricanes struck early and often in the third game, going on a 7-1 run punctuated by a solo block from Marcela Gamarra (Medellin, Colombia) before the Wisconsin coaching staff saw fit to call a time out. Miami held the Badgers at bay throughout, leading by as many as 10 points near the game’s end. Tipiana continued to shine, hitting for a .750 attack percentage. Biz Tyson continued her impressive post-season performance, increasing her kill total to 13 on the match and improving her hitting percentage to .480 as the Hurricanes settled game three 30-21.
In the fourth and final game, Gamarra capped off a stellar offensive effort as the Hurricanes won 30-22.
For more information on University of Miami athletics log on to its website www.hurricanesports.com, the official site for all Hurricane news, tickets, and apparel. For Hurricane ticket information call 1-800-GO CANES.
