Women's Volleyball Host Hurricane Invitational

Women's Volleyball Host Hurricane Invitational

Sept. 14, 2006

CORAL GABLES, Fla. (www.huricanesports.com) – The University of Miami women’s volleyball team will host their annual Hurricane Invitational at the Knight Sports Complex this weekend. Miami welcomes Florida A&M, Jacksonville University, and Loyola Marymount.

The tournament will begin Friday with a match-up with Loyola versus Jacksonville at 4 p.m. UM will take on Florida A&M thereafter at 7 p.m. Action will resume on Saturday at 10 a.m. with a match-up against Florida A&M and Loyola Marymount, followed by the Hurricanes taking on Jacksonville. Two games remain in the evening with Jacksonville going up against Florida A&M at 5 p.m., and UM closing out the tournament with Loyola at 7:30 p.m.

The Hurricanes are led by senior outside hitter Frannie Savage with 45 kills with a 3.75 per game average. Senior setter Jill Robinson leads Miami in assists with 122 assists, averaging 10.17 per game. Robinson also led the team in three offensive categories in the Spartan Invitational. She posted 10 kills, 45 assists, and 16 digs, earning her all tournament. Senior defensive specialist Ann Gallo leads in digs with 51 for the season, averaging 4.25 per game.

Scouting the Opponents…

Florida A&M University:The Rattlers head to Coral Gables with a 1-5 overall record. FAMU posted large numbers against Illinois State at the Campus Credit Union Classic last week. Zaira Manzo led the Rattlers with a team high of 41 assist. In kills, Maria Andonova posted a double-double with 27 kills and 20 digs, while Marrita Crocket contributed 19 kills. In day two of the tournament against Central Florida Croket and Andonova finished the tournament weekend each posting double-doubles. Crocket posted a total of 20 kills and 11 digs, while Andonova finished with 28 kills and 21 digs. Hannah Uckelmann led with a team high of 34 digs.

Jacksonville University:The Dolphins (4-5) began their 2006 season losing two out of three matches in the Jacksonville State Invitational late August. The team bounced back as they played tournament host in the Crispers Invitational defeating Southeast Louisiana, Georgia Southern, and Lafayette claiming the tournament win. The team is led by Sara Bendorf with 90 kills averaging 2.81 per game, and 97 digs.

Loyola Marymount:The Lions are off onto an 8-2 overall record led by Heather Hughes with 150 total kills so far for the season, and Ashley Dutro with 264 assists (8.80 per game). Emily Day and Heather Hughes lead the team in digs with 127 and 124 respectively. Loyola just came off of a 3-0 win hosting the LMU Four Points Sheraton-LAX Classic. The Lions claimed the tournament with wins over University of California Irvine, Southern Methodist University, and Nevada.

The Hurricanes will get into ACC action at home Tuesday, Sept. 19 as they take on state rival Florida State (6-3), at the Knight Sports Complex. For tickets, contact the Hurricane Ticket office at (305) 284-CANE.