UM Volleyball Defeated by Florida A&M in the First Day of the Hurricane Invitational
Sept. 16, 2006
CORAL GABLES, Fla. (www.hurricansports.com) – The University of Miami women’s volleyball team (2-5) dropped their first match of the of Hurricane Invitational, 2-3, to state rival Florida A&M Friday night at the Knight Sports Complex.
Senior Francheska Savage led the Hurricanes with a career high 29 kills in the match. Freshman libero Casilia Loessberg tied a career record of 14 digs. Senior Jill Robinson posted a team high 56 assists, while Ann Gallo recorded 19 digs, and Freshman Genny Mayhew added 18 digs. Junior Ciara Michel put up 14 kills and 10 block assists.
“Ciara had a great match tonight with her blocking and attacking”, commented Head Coach Nicole Lantagne Welch. “Frannie was huge offensively.”
“We passed extremely well, and must continue to take advantage of our opportunities.”
Miami (2-5) dominated in the first game going on a 5-0 run from the beginning. The Hurricanes led five times by as much as six points, while the Rattlers never gained a lead, nor did they tie the game. UM put up a .394 hitting percentage over FAMU’s (2-5) percentage of .188 taking the win 30-24. Game two brought out the intensity in the Rattlers as they led in kills with 20 and a total of 19 assists. The game saw eight tied scores before UM went on two four-point scoring runs, and both teams swapping points back and forth. Miami trailed FAMU by four points before rallying back to tie the game 29 all. However the Hurricanes were one point shy before the Rattlers took the game 31-29. The Hurricanes were only able to post a 0.61 hitting percentage with just 10 blocks and 15 digs.
In game three, the Hurricanes came back taking an early lead and the win, 30-20, holding the Rattler’s to a .175 hitting percentage, and scoring by as much as nine points. Games four and five saw early leads, two wins and the match by FAMU (30-24, 15-8).
“It was a disappointing loss, though we played very well, said Coach Lantagne Welch. “We dominated the stats in just about every category over FAMU, but it just proves you have to be bigger and better in key moments.”
The Hurricane Invitational will continue Saturday morning with a 10:00 am match with Florida A&M versus Loyola Marymount (9-2). Game two will follow with a 12:30 match by Miami versus Jacksonville (4-6). In the evening, the tournament will finish at the Knight Sports Complex with two matches beginning 5:00 p.m. with Jacksonville against Florida A&M, and 7:30 p.m. with Miami taking on Loyola Marymount.
