Hurricanes Fall to LSU in Five Games
Sept. 17, 2004
Coral Gables, Fla. – Junior outside hitter Karla Johnson, sophomore middle blocker Francheska Savage and sophomore setter Jill Robinson career record breaking performances could not lift the Hurricanes (2-3) over LSU in their first match of the Hurricane Ivan-Sugar Bowl Classic held at SMU’s Moody Coliseum Friday afternoon. Miami won the first two games (34-32, 30-27) before dropping the final three games (28-30, 22-30 and 12-15).
Miami won the first game on the strength of a .417 attacking percentage punctuated by two consecutive kills from senior rightside hitter Valeria Tipiana. Johnson hit eight of the team’s 20 kills in the game.
The Hurricanes fell behind early in the second game before Tipiana’s kill tied the score at 15-15. Her service ace in the next serve would give Miami the lead for good as they connected on 14 of 37 attempts for a .216 attacking percentage.
The Tigers turned the match around in the third game, holding the Hurricanes to .073 attacking percentage and 10 attacking errors; the lowest and highest of the match. Johnson and senior outside hitter Elizabeth Tyson lead the team with six and four kills respectively.
LSU went 18-for-39 for a .359 attacking percentage to take the fourth game. The 30-22 score was the largest margin of the match.
Both teams exchanged leads in the deciding game. The Hurricanes pulled to within one point after a Tipiana kill but a Miami service error let the Tigers regain the ball for the next two points and eventually the game.
The Hurricanes were plagued by attacking errors, suffering 32 as a team for a.193 team attacking percentage.
Johnson set a new career kill mark besting her previous 18 kill record with a 21 kill performance on a career high 48 attempts. The Houston, Tex. native also added four digs, one service ace and one solo block.
Savage’s four solo blocks matched Miami’s Individual match record of four originally set by Robin Lewullis in 2002 and gave her a new career record. She is now matched with teammate Karla Johnson in total blocks in five games. Savage also recorded six kills and one service ace. Her three digs sets a new career record in five games.
Robinson continued her record breaking trend by setting a new career record for digs in one match with a 16 dig performance. She also tallied two block assists and three kills.
Miami returns to action when they take on tournament host SMU at 7:00 pm (CST).
