Hurricanes Take on Virginia Tech for BIG EAST Positioning

Nov. 14, 2003

CORAL GABLES, Fla. (hurricanesports.com) – The University of Miami volleyball team will hold their final regular season match on Saturday, Nov. 17, hosting BIG EAST rival Virginia Tech at 7 p.m. at the Knight Sports Complex.

“We have a healthy rivalry with Virginia Tech,” Head Coach Nicole Lantagne Welch said. “They have had some players really step it up the past few weeks. We have had some good practices this week and we are prepared for an excellent match.”

The match will have major implications on the BIG EAST Championship pairings as the Hurricanes (21-8, 8-3 BIG EAST) currently hold a one game lead over the Hokies (13-13, 7-4 BIG EAST) in the conference standings. With a win, UM would secure a spot as one of the four teams selected to participate BIG EAST Championships held on Nov. 22-23 in South Bend, Ind.

“There is a lot riding on this match,” Welch said. “We will be playing with a since of urgency.”

Miami and Virginia Tech have split their previous matches, with each team taking one win. The Hurricanes downed the Hokies in their last meeting, overtaking Hokies, 3-2 on Nov. 23 last year in the opening round of the BIG EAST Championships.

Saturday’s match will also mark senior outside hitter Leyre Santaella Sante’s last match at the Knight Sports Complex. Santaella Sante is the lone senior on the Hurricanes’ roster this season and will be honored prior to the match. The San Juan, Puerto Rico currently leads the Hurricanes and is ranked sixth in the BIG EAST with 4.01 kills per game.

The Hurricanes’ match with VT will be broadcast live on WVUM 90.5 FM and can also be heard on hurricanesports.com.