Hurricanes Stumble Against Florida A&M, 3-2
Oct. 21, 2003
CORAL GABLES, Fla. (hurricanesports.com) – The University of Miami fell to in-state rival Florida A&M, 3-2 (30-18, 30-26, 28-20, 19-30, 15-10) despite rallying from two games down to tie the match at two games each.
The Hurricanes (16-5, 5-0 BIG EAST) dropped the first two matches after being out hit by FAMU (16-3, 8-0 MEAC) .438 to .000 in the first game and .314 to .250 in the second frame. Miami answered in the third slate, bouncing back to take the Rattlers 30-28 and overpowered FAMU, 30-19 in the fourth game.
Florida A&M pulled away in the fifth and final game, downing UM, 15-10 to hand the Hurricanes their first loss in nine consecutive matches this season and only their fourth loss all-time at home.
“We showed a lot of character tonight, coming back after losing the first two games,” Head Coach Nicole Lantagne Welch said, “but we just started too late. This was a great match between two teams.”
Senior outside hitter Leyre Santaella Sante led the Hurricanes with 18 kills and three service aces, along with three total blocks while junior Elizabeth Tyson and Valeria Tipiana added 17 and 16 respectively. Junior Mallorey James had season-high 46 assists and 11 digs.
The Rattlers’ Adriana Kostadinova led all players with a match-high 24 kills and Mariela Portocarrero turned in a match-leading 69 assists.
The Hurricanes will return to BIG EAST play this weekend, traveling to Connecticut on Saturday, Oct. 26 to take on UConn at 2 p.m. before going to on to play St. John’s in New York on Sunday, Oct. 27 at 2 p.m.
