Among the BIG EAST's best
Oct. 1, 2002
Coral Gables, Fla. (www.hurricanesports.com) – – Just two matches into its inaugural BIG EAST Conference campaign, the University of Miami volleyball team (14-0, 2-0 BIG EAST) has already assumed top spots in several key categories.
Going into Tuesday’s matches, the Hurricanes were the lone team to cap multiple categories, holding first in hitting percentage, assists, and kills.
In hitting percentage, UM held a convincing lead on the top spot with .278. Pittsburgh followed with .254 and Notre Dame held third place with .253.
The Hurricanes were also perched atop the kills category with 17.12 (822 total). Resurgent Pittsburgh followed with 15.88 and Notre Dame chimed in with 15.36.
Miami also led in assists with 15.17 per game (728 total). Pittsburgh followed with 14.50 and Seton Hall round out the top three with 13.81.
In other categories, Rutgers was the league’s top defensive team, holding the opposition to a .141 hitting percentage (Miami: fourth with .163) and Connecticut led the BIG EAST Conference in digs with 17.07 per game (Miami: fourth with 16.52). Syracuse was the conference’s top team in serving aces with 2.35 per game (Miami: seventh with 1.81) and Notre Dame led the league in blocks with 3.82 per game (Miami: fourth with 2.51).
Individual performances
Hurricanes player Karla Johnson (Houston, Texas/Westfield HS) enjoyed a career week resulting in her selection as the BIG EAST Conference’s Co-Rookie of the Week.
Last Wednesday, the freshman middle blocker had a career high when she assumed a .647 hitting percentage that led the Hurricanes past Stetson 3-0.
During the team’s ensuing matches against Boston College and Providence, Johnson was charged a combined two errors in 62 attacks. Johnson reset her career best hitting percentage when she earned a .650 in the Hurricanes 3-0 victory over the Friars Sunday.
Following the week’s performance, Johnson earned a top-10 spot in both blocks (9th with 1.00 per game) and hitting percentage (3rd with .376).
Valeria Tipiana (Lima, Peru/Cristo Rey Catholic HS) is the only other Hurricane to hold a place in two categories. The sophomore outside hitter is fifth in the conference hitting percentage with .363 and ninth in kills with 3.81 per game (47 total).
Senior outside hitter Marcela Gamarra (Medellin, Colombia/Miami-Dade HS) was ranked third in the BIG EAST Conference in kills with 4.31 (207 total).Sophomore libero player Jamie Grass climbed from fourth to third in the digs category, chipping in with 4.02 per game (48 total).
After a stellar 11-block performance against Boston College Saturday, Robin Lewullis (Allentown, Penn./Allentown Central Catholic HS) was ranked fourth among BIG EAST Conference players in blocks with 1.25 (60.0 total).
The Hurricanes currently possess the nation’s longest win streak with 25 consecutive victories dating back to October 5, 2001. They are the lone undefeated team in the BIG EAST Conference with a 14-0 overall record and a 2-0 record in league play.
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.
