Miami Still Among The Best In The Conference
Oct. 8, 2002
CORAL GABLES, Fla. (www.hurricanesports.com) – – The University of Miami volleyball team’s nation-leading win streak of 26 matches may have come to an end Sunday when it was upset 3-2 by Georgetown in Washington, DC, but the Hurricanes did retain their top spot in several key statistical categories in the BIG EAST.
Averaging .281 in contests played through Sunday, the Hurricanes have the best team-hitting percentage in the BIG EAST Conference, surpassing those of Notre Dame (.265) and Seton Hall (.244).
In matches played through September 29, the Hurricanes were fifth in the nation in average kills per game. As of Sunday, Ocotber 6, they were still the best in BIG EAST in kills, averaging 17.05. Pittsburgh was second (15.92) and Notre Dame was third (15.41).
Miami was also the top team in terms of assists averaged 15.21 per game. Pittsburgh was second with 14.49, while Notre Dame was third with 13.68.
Several Miami players also improved their standing in the BIG EAST. Freshman middle blocker Karla Johnson (Houston, Texas/Westfield HS) is second in the conference in hitting percentage with .379, while sophomore outside hitter Valeria Tipiana (Lima, Peru/Cristo Rey Catholic HS) is fourth with .358.
Sophomore libero player Jamie Grass (Manhattan Beach, Calif./Mira Costa HS) is still third in the conference in digs with 3.98 per game and Robin Lewullis (Allentown, Penn./Central Catholic HS) is fourth in blocks with 1.25 per game.
Senior outside Marcela Gamarra (Medellin, Colombia/Miami-Dade CC) is fourth in the BIG EAST in kills with 4.20 per game and Tipiana is seventh with 3.93.
Fresh from a four-match road campaign in which they went 3-1 against BIG EAST opponents, the Hurricanes will play their first conference home match Friday at 7 p.m. in the Knight Sports Complex against Rutgers.
The Scarlet Knights are 11-6 overall and 0-2 in the BIG EAST, having been swept 3-0 by conference heavyweight Notre Dame and having fallen in a 3-2 heartbreaker to Syracuse.
Those seeking ticket information for volleyball or any other athletic event involving the Hurricanes should call 1-800-GO-CANES.
