Hurricanes Fall to North Carolina in Volleyball Action, 3-0
Oct. 1, 2010
Chapel Hill, N.C. – Three University of North Carolina players registered nine kills on Friday night, leading the Tar Heels past the University of Miami Hurricanes in ACC volleyball action, 3-0 (25-21, 25-17, 25-21), inside venerable Carmichael Arena.
Miami (12-3, 2-2 Atlantic Coast Conference) was unable to solve North Carolina (14-4, 5-0 ACC) for the second consecutive time on the road, as the Tar Heels continued their momentum after defeating No. 14 Florida State on Thursday evening.
Despite the fourth double-digit kills performance of the year from `Canes junior middle blocker Ali Becker (Katy, Texas), Miami hit just .139 (39k-20e-137ta) in the match. UM kept it close through all three sets, but in the end it was the Tar Heels extending their winning streak to three in the series against the Hurricanes.
UM came out hitting strong, collecting a .222 clip (15k-5e-45ta) in the opening set, behind three kills from Becker, as well as senior middle blocker Lici McGee (Warr Acres, Okla.) and junior outside hitter Lane Carico (Manhattan Beach, Calif.). However, UNC got five kills from Emily McGee and Christine Vaughen to hold off a strong Miami comeback attempt.
UNC used nine kills, eight digs and a block assist from Courtney Johnston to help keep the Tar Heels undefeated in league play. McGee and Vaughen also finished the night with nine kills, with McGee going low for seven digs on defense. Setters Cora Harms (26 assists) and Erica Behm (11 assists) setup the offense for the Tar Heels. The defensive efforts were led by libero Kaylie Gibson, finishing the night with a match-high 22 digs.
The Hurricanes were led on offense by Becker with 10 kills, also putting down two assisted blocks and recording two digs. Behind her offensively was Carico and senior Ariell Cooke (Oakland, Calif.) with seven kills each. Setter Katie Gallagher (Winter Park, Fla.) setup the attack with a match-high 30 assists.
Freshman libero Ryan Shaffer (San Jose, Calif.) charged the Hurricanes’ defense with 16 digs.
Miami will look to split its North Carolina trek on Sun., Oct. 3, as the Hurricanes travel to NC State in Raleigh for a match slated to start 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.
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