Miami Volleyball Travels to Golden State
Sept. 1, 2011
Pepperdine Asics Classic Match Notes 
Coral Gables, Fla. – Head coach Nicole Lantagne Welch and the University of Miami volleyball team travels across country this weekend to participate in the Pepperdine Asics Classic in Malibu, Calif. The event, hosted by Pepperdine, takes place at Firestone Fieldhouse.
After winning the Tiger Classic a week ago in Baton Rouge, La., Miami (3-0) will face stiff competition once again this weekend in Malibu. The Hurricanes received additional votes in this week’s AVCA Coaches Poll Top 25, while host Pepperdine did the same. This weekend, the Canes will not only face the homestanding Waves, but will first see UC Santa Barbara (1-2) on Friday before taking on Georgia (2-1) and Pepperdine a day later.
With four California natives on the roster, not including head coach Nicole Lantagne Welch, the Hurricanes should have a nice home crowd on hand. Senior All-America outside hitter Lane Carico (Manhattan Beach), Lizzie Hale (Menlo Park), Taylor Hollins (Long Beach) and Ryan Shaffer (San Jose) are all returning to their home state, in addition to Lantagne Welch who is a native of Encinitas.
The Canes’ last trip to California was a successful one as they won the Asics/Coca-Cola Invitational in San Francisco on Sept. 12-13, 2008. En route to the title, Miami defeated Villanova, Sacramento State and host San Francisco. That same year, UM opened the year with a 13-0 record before ending the year 26-6 overall (12-0 versus non-conference opponents).
All matches for the Pepperdine Asics Classic will feature live stats, in addition to a live video stream for all matches involving Pepperdine. The website for both stats and the video stream can be accessed by clicking here.
For fans wishing to attend the event, single-session prices are $8 for adults, $5 for students/seniors/children and free to all Pepperdine students, faculty and staff (and their dependents) with a valid Pepperdine ID. An all-day pass, priced at $12 for adults and $8 for students/seniors/children, can also be purchased, which covers both the morning and evening sessions on Saturday. Call the Pepperdine Ticket Office at (866) WAVE-TIX for more information.
The University of Miami is excited to announce a new season ticket package that will include two (2) adult and three (3) youth tickets to all home volleyball and soccer events in the 2011 season. The Family Plan provides a family of five with over 20 events for the incredible price of $50. Purchase a Volleyball and Soccer Family Plan by calling 1-800-GO-CANES or simply buy online by clicking here.
For more information on the University of Miami volleyball team, please log on to HurricaneSports.com. Once there, you will find up-to-date news, stats and information regarding the Hurricanes volleyball program.
Fans can keep up-to-date with all UM Athletics via twitter at Twitter.com/HurricaneSports. You can also become a fan of the Canes on Facebook at Facebook.com/MiamiHurricanes.
Scouting Pepperdine
The hosts Pepperdine Waves enter the weekend with an even 1-1 record and are receiving votes in the AVCA Top 25 Coaches Poll. The Waves were predicted to win the West Coast Conference, while returning all seven starters from a season ago and 12 letterwinners altogether. The Waves are led by Kim Hill with 30 kills (4.29 k/s) and Lilla Frederick is second on the team with 20 kills (2.86 k/s). Four Waves performers average above 2.0 digs per set, led by Frederick with 28 (4.00 d/s). Libero Mic Christiaansen is second on the team in digs with 26 (3.71 d/s).
Pepperdine Asics Classic
Since 2006, host Pepperdine University holds a record of 11-4 at the Pepperdine Asics Classic.
Series against the Waves
This will be the first-ever meeting between Miami and Pepperdine.
Scouting Georgia
The Bulldogs enter this weekend with a 2-1 record after defeating Liberty and Florida A&M, before falling to Kansas at the Bulldog Invitational. Sophomore outside hitter Kathleen Luft currently leads Georgia with 3.33 kills/set and 2.00 digs/set. In the back court, Allison Summers has opened the year with a 4.44 digs/set average.
Series against the Bulldogs
Miami leads the all-time series against Georgia, 3-2. UM has won the last two meetings, including a 3-1 decision over the Bulldogs in the last meeting back on August 30, 2002.
Scouting UC Santa Barbara
The Gauchos opened the season at the BYU Invitational last weekend, and edged Saint Mary’s, 3-2, before losing to BYU and Illinois, 3-1. Chelsey Lowe had a stellar weekend defensively, and currently leads her team and the Big West Conference with 5.69 digs/set. Stacey Schmidt and Leah Sully are UCSB’s top offensive threats, as the duo collectively averages more than 6.60 kills/set.
Series against the Gauchos
This will be the first-ever meeting between Miami and UC Santa Barbara.
Canes Take Tiger Classic Title
UMiami took down LSU in the title match of the Tiger Classic last weekend inside the Maravich Center in Baton Rouge, La. For the Canes, it marked the fourth consecutive year they have won a regular season tournament on the road.
Miami Picking Up Votes
The Hurricanes continued to earn votes in the latest AVCA Coaches Poll Top 25 this week. The Canes would technically be ranked No. 30 this week and trail LSU by 17 votes despite beating the Tigers head-to-head last weekend in Baton Rouge, La.
A.J. Is MVP
After recording a career-best 17 kills against Louisiana-Lafayette, sophomore right side hitter Alex Johnson went on to earn MVP honors of the Tiger Classic as UMiami defeated LSU in the title match. On the week, Johnson amassed a team-high 39 kills (3.55 k/s) and a team second-best 43 digs (3.91 d/s). She was also second on the team in blocks (11).
What a Difference a Year Makes
Redshirt freshman middle blocker Emani Sims made a statement in her first-ever collegiate match versus Jacksonville State last weekend. Sims registered a team-high tying eight kills in that match, followed by a match-high nine blocks (six assisted) against LSU in the title match.
Carico, Gallagher Looking for History
All-America performer Lane Carico needs just 116 more kills to break Karla Johnson’s school record. Setter Katie Gallagher needs 873 assists to pass Jill Robinson atop the school’s all-time career list.
Lantagne Welch Chasing 200
Head coach Nicole Lantagne Welch now has 195 career wins at UMiami. She needs just five more to reach the 200 plateau.
