Carico Sets School Record in Hurricanes Victory

CORAL GABLES, Fla. – With a match-high 14 kills, senior Lane Carico became the school’s all-time leader in kills as the No. 20 Miami Hurricanes defeated the Duke Blue Devils, 3-0 [25-22, 26-24, 25-20], in ACC action Sunday inside the James L. Knight Sports Complex.

Carico, a 2010 All-America performer, broke a six-year old record with her fourth kill that allowed Miami to take a 7-4 lead in the set. The record, formerly held by Karla Johnson (2002-05), now stands at 1,495.

Miami (13-1, 4-1 Atlantic Coast Conference) snapped a three-match losing skid to the Blue Devils and pushed its home court winning streak to 10 matches dating back to last season.

The Hurricanes cruised to the win in the opening set before Duke (8-6, 2-3 ACC) battled to a 14-13 lead in the second set behind timely kills from Christiana Gray and setter Kellie Catanach. Catanach was able to keep Duke alive in the second frame by eying the UMiami defense and attacking instead of setting.

But the Canes used an Alex Johnson service ace and a kill from Christine Williamson to keep the Blue Devils at bay, 21-18. Moments later, Duke’s Sophia Dunworth and Amanda Robertson collected blocks to tie the set at 24-all. However, freshman Emani Sims and Johnson combined for a block at the net and Johnson placed a kill off the set of Katie Gallagher to put UM on top by two sets in the match.

The third set saw Becker lay down five kills and Carico record five of her own to push the Canes to the sweep of the Blue Devils.

Duke was led in the match by Gray with nine kills while Robertson and Catanach had two blocks apiece. Catanach added 29 assists and libero Ali McCurdy had a match-high 18 digs.

UM was paced on offense by Carico’s 14 kills and Becker’s match-high five blocks. Becker hit .409 on the day with 12 kills on 22 swings. Gallagher handed out 38 assists and Johnson pulled in 14 digs. Carico collected 12 digs to collect her fourth consecutive double-double.

Hurricanes sophomore libero Ryan Shaffer brought in 11 digs with two service aces.

The Hurricanes return to the court Friday, Oct. 7 when they take on NC State in a 7 p.m. contest in Raleigh, N.C.

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