Miami Volleyball Drops 3-0 Decision at Clemson

Miami Volleyball Drops 3-0 Decision at Clemson

Nov. 14, 2009

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Clemson, S.C. – Lane Carico supplied nine kills and Ali Becker added eight, but it wasn’t enough Saturday night as the University of Miami volleyball team dropped a 3-0 decision (25-20, 25-22, 25-23) to ACC opponent Clemson University at Jervey Gymnasium in Clemson, S.C.

Miami (16-11, 9-8 ACC) fought tough against Clemson, but in the end the Hurricanes were unable to claim their first-ever win on the road against the Tigers.

The `Canes used four kills from sophomore outside hitter Lane Carico and three more from junior middle blocker Lici McGee in order to stay close throughout the opening set. Clemson (21-8, 10-7 ACC) led 17-12 until McGee posted a kill that began a 4-0 UM run to bring the `Canes within, 17-16. After Clemson stretched its lead at 20-17, Miami took a kill from sophomore Ali Becker and used a Clemson attack error to pull within, 20-19.

However, the Tigers closed the opening set on a 5-1 run with the help of Sandra Adeleye as she recorded two kills and a block in order to preserve Clemson’s 25-20 set-win.

In the second set, Becker produced four kills and claimed two block assists as she helped Miami stay within striking distance late in the frame. Carico had a kill and senior Maria Andersson placed another to bring the `Canes to within, 22-20. But it would be as close as the Hurricanes would come as Natalie Patzin and Adeleye provided the kills down the stretch to give Clemson a 2-0 lead in the match courtesy a 25-22 second set victory.

Miami hung tight with the Tigers the entire third set as a Clemson service error started a 4-0 UM run that saw the `Canes take a 9-6 lead following a Genny Mayhew kill. The `Canes led 10-8 after another Mayhew kill, and then stretched it at 15-13 with the help of a kill by McGee.

Clemson interrupted the Hurricanes rally with a 4-1 run that ended with the Tigers’ Cansu Ozdemir giving her team the lead with a kill of her own, 17-16.

The Hurricanes reclaimed the lead after a Mayhew service ace, but Clemson rallied behind Lia Proctor and Adeleye with consecutive kills to put the Tigers back on top, 21-20. The Hurricanes countered with a kill from Carico, one of just two in the set for the Manhattan Beach, Calif., native, in order to knot the set at 21-all.

With the Tigers clinging to a 23-22 advantage following Miami’s McGee staking one of her three kills in the set, Clemson closed out the set- and match-victory with a kill from Proctor.

Clemson was led on the night by Adeleye and teammate Proctor, each collecting a match-high 13 kills in the win. Ozdemir added five kills and 13 digs, while libero Didem Ege pulled in a match-high 15 digs on defense.

Miami used a team-high nine kills from Carico, ending her string of 16 consecutive matches with double-digit kills dating back to its start versus Notre Dame on Sept. 19. Becker added eight kills and three blocks (two assisted). McGee, Friday night’s hero for UM, posted seven kills and four blocks (three assists) in the loss.

Libero Cassie Loessberg collected 12 digs, and freshman setter Nrithya Sundararaman set up 28 assists while posting four digs on defense.

Miami looks to rebound when it gets back to action next Friday, November 20 as the `Canes play host to the University of Maryland inside the James L. Knight Sports Complex at 7 p.m.

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.