Volleyball Drops Heartbreaker to Virginia, 3-2

Nov. 1, 2009

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Charlottesville, Va. – Miami’s Lane Carico posted a “20-20” performance with 21 kills and 23 digs on Sunday, but in the end it was the University of Virginia scrapping out a 3-2 win (25-18, 23-25, 22-25, 25-23, 15-10) in an ACC volleyball thriller at Memorial Gymnasium in Charlottesville, Va.

For the Hurricanes, Sunday was supposed to be a match of retribution after dropping a tough 3-2 decision a year ago to the Cavaliers in Charlottesville. However, the result ended with the `Canes suffering their fourth five-set loss of the season, and the second consecutive five-set defeat in Charlottesville.

Miami (14-9, 7-6 ACC) trailed 5-1 in the opening set, only to rebound behind the play of two kills from sophomore Ali Becker–also adding a pair of blocks, as well as kills and blocks from Ariell Cooke, in what would be a 12-5 UM run. That run allowed the Hurricanes to bolt out to a 13-10 advantage.

Virginia (10-14, 5-8 ACC) came back strong with a 9-3 run sparked by Simone Asque and Jessica O’Shoney to collect a 19-16 lead. Blocks from Kendahl Voelker and Sydney Hill, added a Voelker service ace, and Virginia was able to grab the opening set, 25-18.

UM rebounded in the second set with Lici McGee recording a block and a kill, while freshman Lizzie Hale registered a service ace to help the `Canes to a quick 6-2 lead. The Cavaliers responded moments later with two kills from Asque and blocks by Hill and Voelker to stake their team out to a 16-14 advantage.

Miami would soon reclaim the lead, the second lead change of the set, at 19-18 following a Virginia attack error and a service ace from freshman setter Nrithya Sundararaman. The `Canes expanded their lead (22-18) with consecutive kills from Cooke and Lane Carico.

The `Canes took the second set, 25-23 behind back-to-back kills by Carico off the set of Sundararaman.

Virginia led almost the entire way in the third set until, when leading 18-11 following an Asque kill off the set of Rachel Gray, Miami began a 13-3 run, beginning with a McGee kill. Carico added another kill along the way while McGee poured in two more of her own to allow UM the 23-21 lead late in the set.

The Hurricanes’ Cooke put down consecutive kills, two of her five for the match, to close the set and give UM the win, 25-22.

Just as exciting as the third, the fourth set included nine ties and four lead changes.

Virginia once again led big at 19-11 as Asque staked five kills for the frame, as well as Hill providing three blocks (assisted) along the way.

However, Miami was resilient, yet again, knotting the set at 20-all on the strength of a 9-1 run that began with a kill from Christine Williamson, and ended with a kill-shot from Becker.

In the end, the Cavaliers got blocks from Hill and Gray, as well as two Miami attack errors, to collect the 25-23 win, forcing a fifth and decisive set for the second straight year in Charlottesville.

UM was never able to get on track in the fifth frame as Asque had five kills and teammate O’Shoney had two in order to lead the Cavs to a 15-10 victory sealing the match win.

Virginia was led on the match by Asque with a match-high 29 kills, adding eight digs and two assisted blocks. Voelker added 14 kills and five blocks (four assists), while setter Gray “quarterbacked” the offense with a match-high 53 assists. Libero Brittani Rendina had a match-high 34 digs to pace the Cavaliers defense.

For Miami, senior outside hitter Genny Mayhew returned to the court for the first time since Sept. 19 registering two kills, leaving her just one shy of topping the 1,000-kill plateau for her career.

Carico led all UM performers with 21 kills and 23 digs, adding two assisted blocks and four assists. It was the second time this season Carico’s tallied a “20-20” match–the last coming against Wake Forest (22 kills, 22 digs) on Oct. 8.

McGee added 13 kills and three blocks (two assisted), and teammate Becker placed 12 kills and five assisted blocks. Setter Sundararaman had 47 assists, and libero Cassie Loessberg tied a team-high with 23 digs of her own on defense.

For Loessberg, a senior from Sacramento, Calif., it was the 10th time this season she’s surpassed 20-or more digs in a match.

Miami returns to action Friday, Nov. 6 when playing host to Wake Forest at 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.