Tipiana's Record Setting Performance Leads the Hurricanes Past FIU, 3-0
Sept. 1, 2004
MIAMI, Fla. – Senior outside hitter Valeria Tipiana became the first Miami player to record 1,000 career kills helping the University of Miami volleyball team win their first match of the season against cross-town rival Florida International, 3-0, Wednesday evening at Golden Panther Arena.
Tipiana led all players with 12 kills, five service aces and a stellar .450 hitting percentage while tallying seven digs.
Miami (1-0) led FIU (0-1) in nearly every statistical category, while outhitting the Golden Panthers .287 to .033
The Hurricanes got off to a quick start against FIU jumping out to a 6-0 start behind three service aces by junior Kaitlin Kozak. Miami held on to the lead, going on to take the first game 30-17.
“Kaitlin’s string of points in game one really set the tone for the match,” commented head coach Nicole Lantagne Welch.
The second game proved to be closer as the Hurricanes fought to hold off a regrouped FIU squad. Miami took the first point of the game, but never led by more than four points until back-to-back kills by junior Karla Johnson and redshirt freshman Ciara Michel – who would post four kills on five attempts in the second game and first match of her career – paired with a block by Michel and senior Elizabeth Tyson gave UM a 28-23 lead as part of a 6-1 Miami run to close out the game 30-24.
The Hurricanes momentum carried on into the third game leading by as much as 16 points on there way to a 30-14 victory while hitting the Golden Panthers .379 to .000 highlighted by Tipiana’s record setting 1,000th kill.
“Starting with a win is great for our confidence for the season. We were good in a lot of areas. Our passing was exceptional,” said Lantagne Welch.
“It was a fun match that will really get us fired up for the season.”
The Hurricanes, who cancelled the Hurricane Invitational due to the threat of hurricane Frances, will return to action Friday, Sept. 10 at 7:30 pm (PST) when they travel to Los Angeles, Calf. to face Loyola at the LMU Tournament.
