Volleyball Welcomes ACC Foes Clemson and Georgia Tech
Oct. 1, 2009
Coral Gables, Fla. – After splitting last weekend’s ACC series, the University of Miami volleyball team looks to rebound this weekend, playing host to ACC opponents Clemson (Oct. 2) and Georgia Tech (Oct. 4) at the James L. Knight Sports Complex in Coral Gables, Fla.
The weekend begins with Miami (8-5, 1-2 ACC) hosting the Clemson Tigers on Friday, Oct. 2 at 7 p.m. There will be a free give-away at the event by the UM Marketing Department. All fans in attendance will have the opportunity to win The Ultimate Tailgate Package. One winner will walk away with a 32-inch LCD flat screen, two Hurricanes tailgate chairs, a Hurricanes cooler, a Hurricanes BBQ set, a case of Coca-Cola product, two volleyball t-shirts, and more. The winner must be present to claim their prize package, to be awarded between sets. The weekend concludes with the `Canes battling Georgia Tech on Sunday, Oct. 4 at 1 p.m.
The University of Miami Hurricanes look to rebound this weekend when hosting ACC powers Clemson and Georgia Tech to the James L. Knight Sports Complex. The Hurricanes defeated both teams at home last year for the first time in school history, enjoying a 3-1 record overall against the Tigers and Yellow Jackets, respectively, on the season. The lone loss was a setback in Clemson (Death Valley).
Miami comes into the weekend sporting a 1-2 ACC mark (8-5 overall), and looks to try and get above the .500 mark in league play for the first time this season. Senior outside hitter Genny Mayhew is expected to be back in the starting rotation after sitting out last weekend with an injury. Meanwhile, setter Katie Gallagher is expected to return as well. Freshman setter/right side hitter Nrithya Sundararaman suited up in place of Gallagher against Virginia and Virginia Tech.
Miami has dropped just two ACC home matches since the end of the 2007 season–last week against Virginia Tech, and last season to Wake Forest. The home record for the Hurricanes has been incredible since the beginning of the 2008 year, registering a 17-3 mark overall.
The `Canes are currently seventh in the ACC standings, while sophomore outside Hitter Lane Carico tops the conference in kills (177 / 3.69 kps). Senior libero Cassie Loessberg is atop the league in digs (256 / 5.33dps) and teammate Lici McGee is eighth in total blocks (52 / 1.08bps). Loessberg also ranks 13th nationally in digs per set.
The `Canes are among the Top 5 in three categories as a team, including digs where they are the best with 734 (15.29 dps). Miami is ranked 39th nationally in blocks, as a team.
Live stats for both matches will be provided through Game Tracker, while the live radio broadcast for both can be accessed by visiting www.wvum.org.
For more information on the University of Miami Volleyball team, please log on to www.hurricanesports.com. Once there, you will find up-to-date news, stats and information regarding the Hurricanes Volleyball program.
Quick Hits on Clemson
The Clemson Tigers come into the weekend sporting a 10-4 overall record, and a 1-2 mark in ACC play. The Tigers are led by Lia Proctor with 187 kills, followed closely by Natalie Patzin with 153. Clemson had its one conference win so far against NC State last Sunday. Also playing well for the Tigers is setter Kelsey Murphy, ranked among the Top 3 in the league for assists, currently holding 538 (10.35 aps) on the year. The libero for the Tigers is Didem Ege with a team-leading 237 digs (4.56 dps).
Series against Clemson
Clemson leads the all-time series against the Hurricanes by an 8-3 margin. Until Miami’s 3-2 victory over the Tigers last year in Coral Gables, Clemson had previously rolled off six consecutive victories dating back to Sept. 30, 2005. Miami took the last meeting against the two foes, but has never won consecutive matches in the series.
Quick Hits on Georgia Tech
The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets are under the direction of first-year head coach Tonya Johnson, who ultimately has them rolling with a 9-4 record, and a perfect 3-0 mark in ACC play. Bailey Hunter leads the Yellow Jackets with a 176 kills, while teammates Monique Mead (151) and Chrissy DeMichelis (132) follow behind her. The setter for the Yellow Jackets is Mary Ashley Tippins, leading the charge with 546 assists. The libero is Jordan McCullers with 189 digs.
Series against Georgia Tech
Georgia Tech leads the series against Miami by the slimmest of margins, 5-4. Last year, the `Canes swept the series against the Yellow Jackets for the first time ever, and it was just the second time they’ve collected back-to-back wins against the Yellow Jackets, the last coming in 2005 and 2006. Before UM took the series last year, Georgia Tech took the previous three meetings between the two schools.
Sundararaman Already Moving Up
Freshman setter/right side hitter Nrithya Sundararaman stepped in for the injured Katie Gallagher last weekend, and she has already collected 195 assists on the year. That has allowed her to move into eighth place all-time at UM in assists.
Can It Be a Repeat?
Last season at home, Miami swept both Georgia Tech and Clemson for the first time in school history in a back-to-back series set. The `Canes got a great performance from Lane Carico and Genny Mayhew in those meetings, combining for over 65 kills in the two matches. Can the Hurricanes keep the momentum for a repeat performance this weekend?
Andersson to the Front of the Line
Senior Maria Andersson, used in a variety of ways on the back line for the `Canes, stepped up in place of the injured Genny Mayhew last weekend, collecting 20 kills, 21 digs, six blocks and five service aces against Virginia and Virginia Tech last weekend. The young lady from Sweden certainly showed she’s willing to come to the front of the line whenever necessary.
On These Dates in History
The Hurricanes hold a record of 2-5 all-time in matches played on Oct. 2, while being on the other end of the spectrum with a perfect 4-0 record in matches played on Oct. 4. The last match played on Oct. 4 was a 3-1 at Georgia Tech in 2008. Conversely, UM suffered a 3-2 setback against Georgia Tech on Oct.2, 2005.
