Hurricanes Top Wolfpack, 3-1
Nov. 20, 2005
CORAL GABLES, <?xml:namespace prefix=”st1″ ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags”?>Fla. – The University of Miami volleyball team topped visiting NC State 3-1 (30-18, 30-20, 27-30, 30-23) in Atlantic Coast Conference Action Sunday afternoon at the Knight Sports Complex. <?xml:namespace prefix=”o” ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office”?>
With the win, the Hurricanes improve to 15-13 overall and 10-10 in ACC play while the Wolfpack fall to 7-21, 1-19 ACC. Miami finishes the week 2-1 after rebounding from a tough five-game loss to Florida State Tuesday with an upset victory over North Carolina and the win over NC State this weekend.
“It’s great to go 2-0 on a weekend. We haven’t done that in a while,” said head coach Nicole Lantagne Welch. “Francheska Savage was outstanding today in her play. Ann Gallo, anchoring the back court, also did an exceptional job. We’re playing some better volleyball and are looking forward to two big matches next week.”
Savage, a redshirt junior, led all players with 23 kills for a .474 hitting percentage. She also posted four total blocks (1BS, 3 BA). Also contributing offensively was senior Karla Johnson and junior Sara Duncan. Johnson knocked down 17 kills while Duncan registered 13.
The Hurricanes were led defensively by Gallo and fellow junior Jill Robinson. Both players turned in a career-high 24 digs. Robinson also registered 50 assists and four service aces to lead all players.
As a team, the Hurricanes held the Wolfpack to a .097 hitting percentage while hitting .220.
The Hurricanes dominated from the onset of game one leading by as many as ten points. A six-point run gave Miami a 24-10 lead and though NC State mounted a late rally, it could not make-up the difference as the Hurricanes ran away with the game, 30-18.
Game two saw the Hurricanes once again jump ahead to a 13-8 lead. The Wolfpack got to within two points but were held to only four kills and a -.103 hitting percentage. Miami tallied the final seven points in the game to claim a 30-20 victory.
Miami pulled ahead 17-13 in game three before NC State knocked down four-straight kills to take a 20-19 lead. Both teams exchanged points until, with the score tied at 23-all, the Wolfpack took the lead for good eventually winning 30-27.
Game four opened with Miami tallying six-straight points, highlighted by three kills by Savage. NC State never led and could only get as close as three points as the Hurricanes took a 30-23 win for the match victory.
The Hurricanes return to action at the Knight Sports Complex for their final two matches of the regular season. Miami will host WakeForest at 4:00 p.m. Wednesday before facing Duke at 1:00 p.m. Friday.
