Women's Volleyball Wrap-Up Their Final Two Home Matches of the Season
Nov. 9, 2006
Watch Virginia Tech Match Live! | Watch Virginia Match Live!
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The University of Miami women’s volleyball team will play their final two home matches for the 2006 season, as they take on Virginia Tech Friday, November 12 at 7:00 p.m., and Virginia Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Both matches will be aired live online at ACCSelect.com
The Hurricanes look to dig, set, post a kill, and block their way to victory as they conclude their last two home matches of the 2006 season. Miami currently sits 9-16 overall and 6-10 in the Atlantic Coast Conference. They face a competitive battle taking on the Hokies of Virginia Tech (15-10, 9-7 ACC) sitting sixth in the league, and the Cavaliers of Virginia (19-6, 12-4 ACC) who place second in the conference.
Finishing out their final home matches will be seniors Frannie Savage, Jill Robinson, Ann Gallo, and Sara Duncan. All have individually made their mark on the Miami volleyball program.
Savage will conclude her career with the University of Miami as this season’s leader in kills with a total of 366 so far on the season having played in all 98 of the Hurricanes’ games. Averaging 3.73 kills per game, the outside hitter registered a career-high 29 kills against Florida A&M, and a career-high 12 digs versus Alabama. Earlier in the season she dished out a season-high seven blocks against Virginia Tech, and a .412 hitting percentage over Duke. Savage averages 0.02 assists, 0.21 service aces, 1.49 digs per game, and 0.67 blocks per game.
Robinson closes her season with the Hurricanes as Miami’s all-time leading in assists with a total of 4,720 career assists. With 1,005 under her belt this season, the setter is 280 assists shy of 5,000. On the season, Robinson has a season-high 57 assists against Clemson, and a career match-high 11 kills versus Georgia Tech. Defensively, she posted a career match-high nine total blocks, and a season-high 16 digs in two matches beginning with the first regular season match against Alabama, then five matches later versus Villanova, where she also came away with a triple-double (10 kills, 45 assists, 16 digs) and a season-high .643 hitting percentage against the Wildcats. This season Robinson has played in 96 games, and posted 12 double-doubles including 10 against ACC opponents. Robinson averages 1.02 kills, 10.47 assists, 0.24 service aces, 2.48 digs, and 0.67 blocks per game.
Gallo led the Hurricanes this season in defensive digs in six matches, registered a career match-high 25 digs against Kansas and averages 2.49 digs per game playing in 98 games. The defensive specialist posted a career high five assists versus Florida A&M. In a match against ACC foe Georgia Tech, Gallo contributed stats on the offensive end with two kills, two assists, a season high five service aces and one block assist to go along with 15 defensive digs. Gallo averages 0.04 kills, 0.35 assists, 0.26 service aces, and 2.49 digs, and 0.01 blocks.
Duncan will close her career at Miami posting a career match-high 18 kills against Jacksonville University with 31 total attempts and a .419 hitting percentage. The outside hitter played in 68 games and registered a standout performance as she posted a double-double over instate rival Florida State with 13 kills and 11 digs and contributed two service aces. On the season, Duncan averages 1.87 kills, 0.07 assists, 0.12 service aces, 0.97 digs, and 0.12 blocks.
The Hurricanes look to close out their final two home games on the winning path as the team averages 14.14 kills, a .206 hitting percentage, 12.87 assists, 1,44 service aces, 14.51 digs, and 2.62 blocks.
Scouting the Opponents:
The Hokies of Virginia Tech travel to Coral Gables having already surpassed their three year trend of 13 wins with 15 total wins on the season. In eight seasons, this is Virginia Tech’s second time with a winning record. Tied fifth in the league, the Hokies are having their best conference season since joining the ACC.
Virginia Tech is led by senior Katie Esbrook with 105 blocks and a 1.11 blocks per game average, while libero Amanda Cloyd leads with 478 digs this season with 1,492 career digs.
The Hokies are also led by two rookies, Taylor Parrish and Michelle Lang. Parrish, an outside hitter, leads the Hokies in kills knocking down a total of 361. She has a 3.76 kills per game average and ranks third all-time among all of Virginia Tech’s freshmen. Lang is well above the 1,000 mark in assists with 1,109 assists on the season, with an 11.43 average.
With three nationally ranked players, Virginia has come away with match victories in their last six ACC matches. They are now one win away of their 10th 20-win season. As a team, Virginia ranks seventh nationally in service aces with 2.39 per game.
The Cavaliers are led by Emily Kirkwood with 1,057 assists and ranks 24th in the nation in assists per game at 13.05. The senior setter holds Virginia’s career service aces record with 157. Closely following in her trail, Emily’s sister, Sarah Kirkwood is four service aces away of matching that of her older sister with 153 career aces. Sarah Kirkwood is also tied for ninth nationally in service aces with 0.67 per game.
Katie Oakes, a junior middle blocker ranks ninth nationally in blocks per game with 1.66. She leads the Cavalries with 146 total blocks.
Hurricane fans can tune in on the action this weekend as live coverage of both matches will be provided through ACCselect.com and miami.accselect.com. Matches can also be viewed on-demand. Fans can purchase a single event pass at $3.99 per event. An all event pass of $5.99 per month can also be purchased which will allow unlimited access to games.
Next weekend, the Hurricanes will head out on the road to face North Carolina Friday, November 17 at 8:00 p.m. On Saturday the 18th, Miami will take on North Carolina State at 6:00 p.m.
