Miami Completes Last Team Event of the spring at UF

Miami Completes Last Team Event of the spring at UF

April 13, 2009

Gainesville, Fla. – The University of Miami volleyball team wrapped up the team portion of this year’s spring schedule over the weekend, taking part in the University of Florida Tri-Match in Gainesville. The Hurricanes finished the weekend 2-3 with one match not played.

This year’s event featured four teams from the Sunshine State, including Miami and host Florida. The other two participating teams were FIU (Florida International University) and Florida State. Each team took part in six matches with two sets scored to 25, concluding with a third set to 15.

UM began the day with a 2-0 loss (25-19, 25-23) to ACC rival Florida State. The match was exciting with neither team wanting to give up the second set. In their next outing, the `Canes fell 2-0 (25-23, 25-22) in a very competitive match to Florida.

In that match against the Gators, Lane Carico and Lici McGee combined for 15 kills, while McGee was a perfect 1.000 hitting in the match. Carico carded an impressive .429 clip as well. The offense was great for the `Canes as Ali Becker hit .375, as well as Ariell Cooke continuing her blistering spring performance with a .333 clip.

Miami rounded-out the morning session with a 2-0 victory (25-19, 25-21) over FIU. In that match, Carico starred for UM with eight kills, while Cooke added seven of her own. Cooke, an Oakland, Calif. native, carded with a .333 clip (7-1-18), while Cassie Loessberg and Carico each tallied 11 digs on defense.

In the afternoon session, the Hurricanes defeated the host Gators, 2-1 (25-17, 17-25, 15-13). They would drop their last match of the day, 2-0 (25-17, 25-23) to the Seminoles.

In the second match of the day against the Gators, the Hurricanes used five kills from McGee, who also sported a .455 hitting percentage, while Carico led all UM players with seven kills. Maria Andersson stepped into the mix for UM with five kills of her own. The defense was clearly stronger the second time around, as Loessberg pulled in a team-high 20 digs.

The `Canes also collected seven team blocks, but were led by Cooke with three.

UM and FIU did not meet in the last scheduled match for both teams at 4:30 pm.

Miami finishes the team portion of their schedule with a spring record of 5-3-2. The two ties for the `Canes occurred at the UCF Spring Invitational in Orlando.

The Hurricanes now prepare for the Collegiate Beach Volleyball Challenge in Siesta Key, Florida taking place on Apr. 18. For more information on the event, please log on to www.fiestaonsiestakey.com.

The University of Miami enters the 2009 Collegiate Beach Volleyball Challenge after earning the bronze medal in last year’s event, while teammates Ashley Woods and Cassie Loessberg teamed to go 7-1 and finished as runner-up in the Gold Division. Overall, UM was one point shy of capturing the inaugural Commissioner’s Cup.

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.

Volleyball Results – Saturday, April 11, 2009 – Gainesville, Fla. (Florida Gym)

10 a.m. matches
Florida def. FIU, 2-0 (25-21, 27-25)
FSU def. Miami, 2-0 (25-19, 25-23)

11 a.m. matches
Florida def. FSU, 2-1 (21-25, 25-21, 15-10)
Miami def. FIU, 2-0 (25-19, 25-21)

12 p.m. matches
Florida def. Miami, 2-0 (25-23, 25-22)
FIU def. FSU, 2-0 (25-19, 25-23)

2:30 p.m. matches
Miami def. Florida, 2-1 (25-17, 17-25, 13-15)
FSU def. FIU, 3-0 (25-23, 26-24, 19-17)

3:30 p.m. matches
Florida def. FIU, 2-0 (25-14, 25-20)
FSU def. Miami, 2-0 (25-17, 25-23)

4:30 p.m. matches
Florida def. FSU, 2-1 (23-25, 25-23, 16-14)
FIU vs. Miami – DNP