Volleyball Falls to Rival Florida State, 3-1

Nov. 25, 2009

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Coral Gables, Fla. – Sophomore Lane Carico posted a match-high 20 kills while Christine Williamson added 13 more, but it wasn’t enough Wednesday afternoon as the University of Miami volleyball team fell to rival Florida State, 3-1 (24-26, 25-16, 25-19, 25-16), in ACC action at the James L. Knight Sports Complex in Coral Gables, Fla.

Miami (18-12, 11-9 ACC) opened the match on fire as Lane Carico and Christine Williamson, both sophomore outside hitters for the `Canes, combined for 13 kills to give UM the thrilling 26-24 first set victory.

Florida State (28-2, 19-1 ACC) countered Miami’s strong play in the opener by hitting a match-high .435 clip (14-4-23) in the second set as Rachael Morgan posted five kills and Brianna Barry supplied three more for the Seminoles. FSU battled back from an early deficit to collect a 25-16 win, knotting the match at 1-1 heading into the intermission.

The Hurricanes fought tough in the third set behind seven kills, taking an early 8-4 lead before Morgan and Mira Djuric registered four kills apiece to tie the set at 12-12. Back-to-back kills from Djuric ended the set, giving FSU the 25-19 set-win.

That set victory put FSU on top in the match, 2-1.

In the fourth set, once again Miami played tough behind solid play from Carico, but FSU’s Morgan tallied six of her team-high 17 kills en route to the `Noles swinging a .345 clip in the frame. The Seminoles collected the set- and match-victory with a 25-16 advantage.

FSU was led on the day by Morgan’s 17 kills, while three more Seminoles added eight kills each. The two-setter system of Nikki Baker and Duygu Duzceler combined for 43 assists–Baker leading the way with 24. Libero Jenna Romanelli had a team-high 11 digs on defense.

Miami was led by Carico’s match-high 20 kills and 12 digs, giving the Manhattan Beach, Calif., native her 19th double-double of the year. Williamson added 13 kills and four assisted blocks, and setter Nrithya Sundararaman had 43 assists and three blocks.

Senior libero Cassie Loessberg, in her last game as a Hurricanes student-athlete, had a match-high 14 digs.

Today’s match wrapped up the season for the Hurricanes, collecting consecutive 18-win campaigns under ninth-year head coach Nicole Lantagne Welch. The `Canes finished the season at 18-12, and ended the ACC slate with a record of 11-9.

Having won the ACC title, FSU will await their next opponent for the upcoming NCAA Tournament when the selection is announced next week.

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.