Volleyball Ends Homestand with Virginia Tech and Virginia

Sept. 22, 2010

Complete Match Notes in PDF Format

Coral Gables, Fla. – University of Miami volleyball closes its six-match homestand this weekend playing host to Virginia Tech and the University of Virginia at the James L. Knight Sports Complex on the UM campus in Coral Gables, Fla.

Miami (10-2, 1-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) will first take on Virginia Tech on Fri., Sept. 24 at 7 p.m., before wrapping up the weekend against the University of Virginia on Sun., Sept. 26 at 1 p.m.

UM looks to bounce back from a tough 3-1 setback against No. 15 Florida State last weekend. The Hurricanes are 4-1 at home on the year, and have won eight of their last nine matches entering the weekend slate.

As a team, the `Canes are atop the league in two categories – assists (604) and kills (651). UM is ranked second in digs (722) and hitting percentage (.275).

UM uses two players with 100-or more kills, led by two-time All-ACC performer Lane Carico (Manhattan Beach, Calif.) with 150 (3.33 per set). Joining her is junior outside hitter Christine Williamson (Tampa, Fla.) with 122 kills (2.77 per set). Junior middle blocker Ali Becker (Katy, Texas) tops the `Canes in hitting percentage, now sporting a league sixth-best .388 clip.

Katie Gallagher (Winter Park, Fla.) leads the Hurricanes in assists at her setter position with 425 (10.90 per set), good enough for the second-best total in the conference. At the net, senior middle blocker Ariell Cooke (Oakland, Calif.) leads the team with 38 blocks (0.88 per set). Behind her is Becker with 34 (0.97 per set).

The `Canes defense is led by freshman libero Ryan Shaffer (San Jose, Calif.) with 167 digs (3.71 per set), as Carico is second on the team with 156 (3.47 per set). Also over 100 digs on the campaign is freshman outside hitter Alexandria Johnson (Tallahassee, Fla.) with 109, while Gallagher owns 105.

Carico also leads the squad in service aces with 12, as Johnson is just behind her with 11.

The University of Virginia will first take on Florida State on Friday before venturing to South Florida for Sunday’s contest against the `Canes. Virginia Tech will in turn travel north to the state capital of Tallahassee, facing off against the Seminoles on Sunday.

This weekend’s matches will feature a live chat with fans through Cover It Live. This unique experience will give fans the chance to interact and ask questions and share comments with members of the UM Sports Media Relations staff throughout each match.

Volleyball: Virginia Tech at Miami

The matches will also be streamed live via All-Access on www.hurricanesports.com, and will also have live audio through WVUM (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.

You can also keep up-to-date with all UM Athletics via twitter at Twitter.com/HurricaneSports.

Quick Hits on Virginia Tech…
Virginia Tech heads into its Sunshine State showdown with a 10-1 overall record, and sit 1-0 in the ACC, defeating in-state rival Virginia. The Hokies come to Coral Gables riding an eight-match win streak.

The Hokies are led offensively by Cara Baarendse with 124 kills (3.02 per set), with teammate Felicia Willoughby also over 100 kills (101), averaging 2.46 per set. Both players are hitting at or near a .400 clip for the season, with Baarendse hitting an even .400, and Willoughby averaging a .398 percentage.

Defensively, the Hokies look towards Amy Wengrenovich who leads the team with 152 digs (3.71 per set), while Morgan O’Neill owns 83 digs (2.13 per set). The setter for the Hokies is Erin Leaser, handing out 426 assists (10.39 per set) to rank third in third in the ACC.

Series Against the Hokies…
Miami leads the all-time series against Virginia Tech by a 9-5 count, as the two teams split last year’s series. Virginia Tech has won two of the last three meetings in a series that dates back to 2002.

Quick Hits on Virginia…
The University of Virginia will first travel to Florida State on Fri., Sept. 24, before making the trip to Coral Gables on Sun., Sept. 26. The Cavaliers enter the weekend with a 6-5 mark overall, and are 0-1 in the ACC after a loss to Virginia Tech.

Simone Asque is the leader on offense with 162 kills and a team-high 18 service aces. Jessica O’Shoney has 100 kills for the Cavs and hits at a .389 clip.

The defense for the Cavaliers is sparked by two players with 100-plus digs, led by AJ Cushman with 194 (4.73 per set). Joining her is Emily Rottman with 134 (3.27 per set).

The primary setter for the Cavaliers is Beth Wildermuth with a team-high 251 (6.12 per set). Virginia also looks towards Rachel Gray who has 178 assists (4.34 per set).

Series Against the Cavaliers…
The University of Virginia leads the all-time series against the `Canes by a 7-4 decision. The two teams split last year’s series, but it has been the Cavaliers taking three of the last four matches.