Miami Downs UCSB to Open Pepperdine Asics Classic

MALIBU, Calif. – The University of Miami volleyball team remained unbeaten with a 3-0 victory over UC Santa Barbara [25-19, 25-23, 25-22] Friday to open the Pepperdine Asics Classic at Firestone Fieldhouse on the campus of Pepperdine University.

Miami (4-0) garnered a .264 attack percentage in the match en route to its 11th consecutive regular season tournament win dating back to last season. The Hurricanes took advantage of 10 UCSB (1-3) service errors, in addition to 16 attack errors by the Gauchos.

The Canes won a see-saw battle in a second set that saw nine ties and six lead changes, rallying from a 22-20 deficit to close the frame on a 5-1 run. A service ace from junior defensive specialist Lizzie Hale put the Hurricanes in front, 24-23. Following a Gauchos timeout, UMiami setter Katie Gallagher recorded a kill to end the set, 25-23.

Leah Sully led UCSB in the match with 13 kills and 17 digs. Kara Sherrard ended with 12 kills and Stacey Schmidt added 11. Libero Chelsey Lowe led all performers with a match-high 28 digs.

Senior All-America outside hitter Lane Carico, who grew up just an hour away in Manhattan Beach, finished the match with eight kills, four blocks and a team-high 15 digs. Senior middle blocker Ali Becker joined Carico with eight kills on just 16 swings and continued her strong play at the net with a match-high six blocks.

Sophomore right side hitter Alex Johnson connected on a team-high nine kills while registering a .286 hitting percentage. She also added eight digs and a block for the Hurricanes.

Hale led all Hurricanes with 13 digs and sophomore libero Ryan Shaffer laid out for 12. Gallagher setup the Hurricanes offense with 30 assists while adding five kills and nine digs.

Miami returns to the Pepperdine Asics Classic on Saturday when it plays Georgia at 1 p.m. Eastern and host Pepperdine at 10:30 p.m. Eastern.

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.

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