Hurricanes Fall To Undefeated MSU 3-0
Sept. 2, 2006
EAST LANSING, Mich. – The University of Miami women’s volleyball team went down to tournament host Michigan State Saturday night at the Spartan Invitational.
The fourth loss puts the Hurricanes 2-4, while the Spartans are still undefeated.
Michigan State overpowered Miami in game one, winning 30-15. The Hurricanes stayed close in the second frame, leading six times before tying the game 22-all, however, before the Spartans pulled away to win the game 30-27. Michigan State overtook Miami in the third game, (30-12) to win the match and the tournament. Head Coach Nicole Lantagne Welch commented, “We played a really good team. We were point for point with [Michigan State] in one game, but we couldn’t sustain it in the other two”.
UM had a total of 24 kills, two team blocks, and posted a hitting percentage of .098.
“We are going to have to make a change and work very hard to improve our ball-handling and first contact, so that we could be in the position to control the course of the match and ultimately come out on top in a match like this”, Lantagne Welch said.
The Canes dropped their first match early in the afternoon losing (3-2) to Villanova (30-28, 28-30, 30-28, 29-31, 8-15). Senior Francheska Savage contributed 14 kills, while freshman Genny Mayhew posted her first double-double of the season with a team high 18 kills, and 10 digs.
Senior Jill Robinson earned all tournament after the leading the offense all weekend. She turned in a huge performance versus Villanova with a triple double. Robinson posted 10 kills, 45 assists, and 16 digs.
Next weekend the Hurricanes will be back home for their annual Alumni Match, Sept. 8 at 7 p.m. The following weekend, Miami will host the Hurricane Invitational at the Knight Sports Complex, Sept. 15-16. The tournament will feature matches against Florida A&M, Jacksonville, and Loyola Marymount. For tickets, contact the Hurricane Ticket office at (305) 284-CANE.
