UM Wins Hurricane Invitational by Defeating VCU, 3-0
Sept. 6, 2008
Coral Gables, Fla. – The University of Miami volleyball team was not to be denied on Saturday evening as they completed a 3-0 shutout (25-19, 25-21, 25-9) of Virginia Commonwealth University to capture the 2008 Hurricane Invitational at the James L. Knight Sports Complex in Coral Gables, Fla.
After defeating Alabama earlier in the day, the Hurricanes were determined to capture their second consecutive tournament title in as many weeks when they stepped on the court against the VCU Rams in the evening.
VCU (3-3) proved a worthy foe as the Rams clawed back from an early 9-2 deficit in order to cut the lead to one point at 19-18 following a service error and two consecutive attack errors charged to the Hurricanes. But the Rams would be their own worst enemy down the stretch in the first set as a service error and three consecutive attack errors–one of eight (8) in the set by the Rams, would push the UM advantage back out to five at 23-18.
Miami (7-0) would need just one kill from Lane Carico and another attack error by VCU to close-out the 25-19 win.
An exciting second set saw the Orange and Green once again sprint ahead early, 4-1 only to watch the visitors from Richmond, Va. fight back behind the play of Elisa Kuehnel and Ariel Newman to pull the `Canes lead down to one, 9-8.
Two more errors charged to VCU moved the Hurricanes lead out to 11-8 before Ivana Rich’s service ace put the Rams right back in the hunt, 19-18.
They would eventually tie the set at 18 when Courtney Hott slammed a kill from the left side.
UM then surged on a 3-0 run sparked by a kill from redshirt sophomore Lici McGee to put the `Canes back out in front, 21-18. They would the set on a 4-2 run with kills from the freshman duo of Ali Becker and Carico for the 25-21 win.
The third set was all Hurricanes as they scored seven consecutive points on the serve of Lane Carico as she had two aces during the stretch to put the Orange and Green out to a commanding 14-3 lead.
They would never look back from there as Angelica Ellis and Bridget Bomhack helped the `Canes down the stretch to the 25-9 win.
With the win tonight, Miami moves to 7-0 for just the second time in school history. The 2002 team that advanced to the NCAA Sweet 16 started off the year 15-0 before losing at Georgetown, 3-2.
The Rams of VCU were led by Kuehnel with eight kills, as well as libero Laryssa Goncalves with a team-high 11 digs. Setters Lenka Melicharkova (14 assists) and Cat Juson (10) set the offense, respectively.
Miami looked towards Carico to set the pace with nine kills and nine digs. Becker was behind her with six kills and three blocks. Setter Katie Gallagher dished up 27 assists on her way to being named Tournament MVP.
The next match for the Hurricanes will be Friday, Sept. 12 when they travel across the country to San Francisco, Calif. to take part in the San Francisco Tournament. Once there, the `Canes will take on opponents Villanova, Sacramento State and host San Francisco.
2008 Hurricane Invitational All-Tournament Team
Katie Gallagher (Miami) – MVP
Ali Becker (Miami)
Lane Carico (Miami)
Brooks Webster (Alabama)
Alyssa Meuth (Alabama)
Elisa Kuehnel (VCU)
Ellyce Youngren (South Dakota State)
