Volleyball Wins Two, Ties Two at UCF Spring Tournament
March 31, 2009
Orlando, Fla. – Miami volleyball hit the road this past weekend, winning two matches and tying two, as the Hurricanes finished 2-0-2 in this year’s nine-team UCF Spring Tournament held at The Venue at UCF in Orlando.
Each match of this year’s event consisted of two sets to 25 points played on three different courts. The courts were used as pools [A through B] for the power pool matches decided following the morning session.
The Hurricanes opened the morning session in Pool B, collecting a split with in-state rival Florida State. The Seminoles took the first set, 25-13, while the `Canes bounced back in the second to claim a 25-22 triumph.
In the second match, Miami swept through host UCF on scores of 25-21 and 25-20.
Miami would advance to the power pool session in the afternoon with a 1-0-1 record from Pool B play.
“Having played very well before spring break, we weren’t as in synch this Saturday,” commented UM head coach Nicole Lantagne Welch. “We need to work on how we approach the start of the match–as we were very slow starting team in both the morning and afternoon waves. We will work on cleaning up our play by each player bettering the ball, bettering the situation, lowering our errors and finding more ways to score.”
In power pool competition, UM split the two-match affair with West Florida, with the `Canes dropping the first (18-25) and winning the second (25-14). They bounced back to sweep their second match of the afternoon session, 25-21 and 25-22, over the USF Bulls.
Notables for Saturday were plenty, as Lantagne Welch was impressed with the play of her setter and front row.
Blockers Ali Becker and Lici McGee stepped up big, combining for 16 blocks. Becker led all with five solo and four assisted blocks. McGee used four solo in her own right.
“Katie attacked the ball very well on Saturday,” added Lantagne Welch. “When she was aggressive and taking charge with it, it was paying off for her. Ali [Becker] and Lici [McGee] had some nice blocks.”
Gallagher hit a .550 clip in the four matches with 11 kills and zero errors. Teammate Ariell Cooke was solid in consecutive outings with a .316 clip on the day.
Libero Cassie Loessberg continued her solid passing and defensive efforts for the Hurricanes as well. Loessberg led all players with 39 digs on defense. Freshman Lane Carico assisted with 22 digs, while sophomore Maria Andersson added 18 digs in a strong performance.
“Cassie was very consistent with her passing,” said Lantagne Welch.
Carico also put up her usual offensive numbers with 23 kills, while Andersson sprayed the court with 22 kills of her own. Cooke provided the `Canes with 17 kills of her own, as the Oakland, California sophomore continued her impressive spring season.
All stats for the Hurricanes this weekend, however, are missing the first match against the rival Seminoles.
For more information on the University of Miami volleyball team, please locate your internet browser to www.hurricanesports.com – the official athletic website for all varsity sports for the University of Miami Hurricanes.
