Hurricanes Host Tar Heels, Wolfpack Over The Weekend
Nov. 17, 2005
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CORAL GABLES, Fla. -The University of Miami volleyball team is set to host North Carolina and NC State in Atlantic Coast Conference action this weekend in the Knight Sports Complex. The Hurricanes face the Tar Heels Friday at 7:00 p.m. then return to action Sunday at 1:00 p.m. against the Wolfpack.
Miami (13-13, 8-10 ACC) returns to the court after dropping a hard fought five-set match to Florida State Tuesday night.
The Hurricanes’ offensive attack relies heavily on ACC kills per game leader Karla Johnson, as well as setter Jill Robinson and middle blocker Francheska Savage. Johnson’s 541 kills and Robinson’s 1,319 assists are new Miami season records.
Johnson’s 5.15 kills per game has placed her atop the ACC for 12-straight weeks. She also leads the team with 38 service aces and is second on the team with 24 solo blocks. Robinson, Miami’s all-time assists leader, is averaging 12.59 assists per game while Savage is second on the team with 3.88 kills per game and the team-leader with a .287 hitting percentage.
Defensively, the Hurricanes rely on libero Ann Gallo and middle blocker Ciara Michel. Gallo has registered a team-best 384 digs for a 3.69 digs per game average. Michel leads Miami with 26 solo blocks, 1.25 blocks per game and 127 total.
As a team, the Hurricanes are hitting .215 while holding their opponents to .207 hitting percentage and 15.1 kills per game.
Scouting North Carolina…
The Tar Heels head into Coral Gables on an eight game winning streak for a 21-7 overall record and a 16-2 mark in ACC play. UNC has not lost since Oct. 21 at Maryland (3-1) and have won 14 of their last 15.
In their last outing against the Tar Heels, UNC came out on top with a 3-1 victory in Chapel Hill on Oct. 8.
North Carolina is led by Camilla Ihenetu who is knocking down 3.61 kills per game and Amy Beaver who is hitting .315. Christie Clark is averaging 1.19 blocks per game and McKenzie Byrd is dishing out 12.51 assists per game. Defensively, the Tar Heels are led by Taylor Rayfield’s 5.25 digs per game.
As a team, the Tar Heels are hitting .192 while holding opponents to .155. They are also averaging 2.65 blocks per game.
Scouting NC State…
The Wolfpack heads into Coral Gables on an eight game losing streak for a 7-19 overall record, 1-17 in ACC matches. The last NC State victory was Oct. 21, 3-1 over Boston College.
In their last outing against the Wolfpack, the Hurricanes triumphed in a four-set match in Raleigh on Oct. 07.
NC State is led by Stefani Eddins who is hitting .407 with 3.64 kills per game. Eddins is also leading the team in blocks per game with 1.48. Melissa Rabe is passing out 9.49 assists per game and leads the team with 36 service aces.
As a team, the Wolfpack are hitting .175 and averaging 2.84 blocks per game.
The NC State match will be broadcast live on www.wvum.org. Both matches can be followed on the web through live scoring on www.hurricanesports.com.
Tickets are $5 dollars for adults and $3 dollars for children and senior citizens. For more ticket information please contact the Hurricane Ticket Office at 1-800-GO-CANES.
