Hurricanes Fall In Classic Against Tar Heels, 3-2

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – No. 21 University of Miami battled back from an 0-2 deficit, but was unable to complete the comeback on Sunday, falling to North Carolina by a 3-2 decision inside Carmichael Arena in a classic ACC volleyball match. The Canes fell on scores of 31-29, 25-23, 19-25, 25-27, 15-11.

Miami (14-2, 5-2 Atlantic Coast Conference) faced a 0-2 deficit for just the second time this season on Sunday, and the Canes could have easily surrendered inside another hostile environment against a tough ACC foe in North Carolina. However, UMiami 11th-year head coach Nicole Lantagne Welch and her staff rallied the troops and the Hurricanes fought back to take the match to a fifth and final set for the second consecutive match.

For the Canes, the rally attempt was the first time since the 2010 season-opener against UT-Arlington that the team faced a 0-2 count and rallied for a fifth set tie-break.

Trailing 17-14 in the fourth frame – and down 2-1 in the match, senior middle blocker Ali Becker began the comeback with back-to-back kills, followed by another from sophomore outside hitter Taylor Hollins to knot the set at 17-all. UM would take the lead at 19-18 on a kill from senior All-America outside hitter Lane Carico.

UNC (14-4, 6-1 ACC) would not go away quietly in the frame as outside hitter Kayla Berringer stamped one of her five kills in the set to tie things up again, 25-25. The Hurricanes used the seventh kill of the set from Becker and the sixth from Hollins to secure the win, 27-25.

In the fifth set, Miami took a 3-1 lead after an attack error by Carolina’s Chaniel Nelson. But it would be the Tar Heels scoring the next five points – three from Berringer – in order to surge out in front, 7-3. After falling behind, 8-5, UM’s Hollins and freshman middle blocker Emani Sims stamped kills to bring the Hurricanes to within one at 8-7.

UNC would use a kill and a service ace from Emily McGee to take an all-important 13-9 edge late in the match. Despite a kill from Becker and Carico, Berringer put down the final kill of the match for the 15-11 edge in favor of the Tar Heels.

For Miami, the loss was just the second of the season, both coming in conference play on the road. The loss snaps a five-match win streak for the Canes, while UNC registered its sixth win in the last seven attempts.

The Hurricanes were led in the match by four players in double figures for kills, using a career-high 22 kills from Becker and a season-high 22 from Carico. Becker hit .476 in the match with a career-high six digs and two blocks. Carico added her sixth double-double in a row with a season-best 23 digs.

Carico now has 11 double-doubles on the year, while Becker has recorded seven consecutive matches with double-digit kills.

Hollins also had a career day with a career-high 13 kills and career-high 19 digs for her first-ever double-double. Redshirt senior setter Katie Gallagher added a double-double of her own with a season-high 60 assists and season-high 19 digs.

Sophomore libero Ryan Shaffer collected a career-high matching 32 digs, and freshman middle blocker Alexis Mourning put down a season-high 12 kills and four blocks (three assisted). Sophomore Lizzie Hale added a season-high tying 13 digs as well.

UNC was led by three players in double figures as McGee placed a match-high 23 kills. She was joined in double-digits by Berringer (19) and Nelson (17).

UMiami returns to the court Friday, Oct. 14 when the Hurricanes host Clemson inside the James L. Knight Sports Complex at 6 p.m. in Coral Gables, Fla.

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.

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