Miami Volleyball Defeats Virginia, 3-1
Sept. 26, 2010
Coral Gables, Fla. – Junior Lane Carico tallied 15 kills and 20 digs, establishing a new school record in the process, in helping lead the University of Miami past the University of Virginia, 3-1 (22-25, 25-18, 25-20, 26-24), in ACC volleyball action Sunday afternoon at the James L. Knight Sports Complex. In Sunday’s victory, the Hurricanes have now won two of the last three meetings against the Cavaliers.
Miami (12-2, 2-1 Atlantic Coast Conference) erased late deficits in the final two sets to come away with its second straight league win, improving to 2-0 on the weekend with sweeps of the Virginia schools – defeating Virginia Tech, 3-0, on Fri., Sept. 24.
Outside hitter Lane Carico, a native of Manhattan Beach, Calif., collected a dig in the fourth set during a long rally to register her 1,000th career dig, becoming the first player in school history to amass 1,000 kills and 1,000 digs in a career.
With the match tied at one set apiece, Virginia (6-7, 0-3 ACC) used blocks from McKenzie Adams and Mallory Woolridge to take a 16-13 lead in the third frame. UM then began an 8-1 run, sparked by a kill from junior middle blocker Ali Becker, and finished by a service ace from freshman Alexandria Johnson, to overtake the momentum and grab a 21-17 lead from the Cavaliers. During the run, the `Canes got blocks from Carico and senior Ariell Cooke, along with a service ace from freshman libero Ryan Shaffer.
UM’s Becker and Cooke combined for a block to end the set, giving the `Canes a 25-20 win, and a 2-1 lead in the match.
The fourth set saw 16 ties and eight lead changes between the two combatants.
UM junior Christine Williamson placed a kill down the line, one of six in the set for the Tampa native, to give the Hurricanes a 19-18 edge. Three consecutive attack errors by UM, including a block from the Cavaliers’ Simone Asque, put Virginia back on top, 21-19. Following a timeout, UM tied the set on the strength of kills by Williamson and Becker.
Carico and Johnson would finish the set and match, following each other with kills, giving the `Canes the 26-24 victory.
Virginia was led on the day by the play of Simone Asque with a match-high 27 kills and 12 digs, also assisting on three blocks while adding a solo block. The only other Cavaliers player in double-digits for kills was Adams (10). Adams also had a double-double effort, providing 14 digs. Setter Beth Wildermuth directed the Cavaliers offense with 48 assists, collecting 12 digs to become the third player on the day for Virginia to tally a double-double.
Libero AJ Cushman charged the Virginia defense with 20 digs.
Miami was led by Carico’s 15 kills, while also collecting 20 digs, giving her 10 double-doubles on the year, and 46 throughout her career. Carico also had a match- and career-high four service aces, while adding three assisted blocks.
Williamson recorded double-digit kills with 12, now giving her six matches this year where she has amassed double-digit kills. Alexandria Johnson picked up her second double-double of the year, as she staked 10 kills and a season-high 23 digs, adding two assisted blocks.
Redshirt junior setter Katie Gallagher setup a match-high 51 assists to go along with eight digs and four kills. Shaffer collected 14 digs, while classmate Taylor Hollins added 13.
Miami will get back to action on Fri., Oct. 1, traveling to play the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill at 7 p.m. The `Canes will stay in the Old North State to battle NC State on Sun., Oct. 3, in Raleigh at 1 p.m.
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.
