Johnson Reaches Career Milestone in Four Game Loss to Michigan State
Sept. 17, 2005
CORAL GABLES, <?xml:namespace prefix=”st1″ ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags”?>Fla. – University of Miami senior outside hitter Karla Johnson surpassed the 1,000 career kills mark as the Hurricanes dropped a 3-1 (25-30, 26-30, 30-26, 21-30) decision to Michigan State during the Orange and Green Challenge Saturday afternoon at the Knight Sports Complex. <?xml:namespace prefix=”o” ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office”?>
The Hurricanes have reeled off two-straight losses and now stand at 5-2 overall while the Spartans improve to 7-2 overall.
Johnson, who slipped into second on the all-time list with 1,012 career kills behind former standout Valeria Tipiana (1,411), became only the third Miami player to reach the milestone. Against MichiganState, the Houston, Texas native tallied 14 kills, set a career-high when she posted four solo blocks for six total and matched a career-high with four service aces.
The Hurricanes tied the team match record for total blocks with 17.0, which included a school record 10 solo blocks, and set the record for most blocks in a four-game match.
Redshirt-junior middle blocker Francheska Savage registered 12 kills to go along with five total blocks (2BS, 3BA) while junior setter Jill Robinson dished out 41 assists. Defensively, the Hurricanes were led by junior libero Ann Gallo’s 16 digs.
The Hurricanes could not solve the Spartans as they took a 2-0 match lead after winning game one, 30-25, and game two, 30-26. A reenergized Miami squad hit the court in game three, holding the Spartans to a -.043 hitting percentage for a 30-26 win. Both teams battled toe-to-toe throughout the fourth game but six-straight Spartan points gave the Michigan the lead for good and eventually a 30-21 game victory that won the match.
The Spartans were led by Katie Johnson, who tallied a match-high 26 kills and Nicole Colaluca, whose 26 digs were also a match-high.
Earlier in the day, ninth ranked Louisville defeated SacramentoState, 3-0 (30-26, 30-19, 30-24).
The Orange and Green Challenge will conclude Saturday evening with Michigan State and Sacramento State squaring off at 5:00 p.m. The Hurricanes will take on Louisville at 7:30 p.m.
