Miami Volleyball Bumps Winning Streak to Five Matches

CORAL GABLES, Fla. – Three University of Miami players registered double-digit kills Friday night to help the homestanding Hurricanes take down the University of North Carolina, 3-1, in ACC action inside the James L. Knight Sports Complex. The Canes took down the Tar Heels on scores of 25-21, 25-21, 25-27 and 25-20.

Miami (20-3, 11-3 Atlantic Coast Conference) looked to avenge an earlier loss on the year to UNC in a five-set thriller in Chapel Hill back on Oct. 9.

The Hurricanes came out of the gate fast in the opening set, surging to a 15-7 advantage behind kills from redshirt freshman middle blocker Emani Sims and redshirt senior outside hitter Christine Williamson. North Carolina (19-6, 11-3 ACC) would prove resilient as Chaniel Nelson and Emily McGee came alive to bring the visiting Tar Heels to within 23-20. However, a kill from senior middle blocker Ali Becker, combined with blocks from Sims and redshirt senior setter Katie Gallagher, allowed the Canes the 25-21 win in the opener.

Miami would move out to a two-set advantage heading into the break as senior All-America outside hitter Lane Carico picked up six of her team-high 17 kills in the second frame – aided by five from Becker – to give UMiami the 25-21 win.

The Canes took an early 11-7 lead in the third before the Heels leaned on Emily McGee to provide a 4-1 run that allowed UNC to take a 19-17 advantage late in the set. UMiami reclaimed the lead at 23-22 following back-to-back kills from Sims off the set of Gallagher. But moments later it was Kayla Berringer placing one of her 12 kills on the night to knot the score at 23. Miami served for match point twice until a McGee kill was followed by a pair of Hurricanes attack errors to allow UNC to grab the win, 27-25.

There were only two lead changes early-on in the fourth frame as a trio of UM players stepped up, led by the play of sophomore right side Alex Johnson with three of her eight kills coming in the set, as well as a solo block. Carico would add another three kills and the UNC offense was limited to a match-low .219 hitting percentage as UMiami grabbed the set and match victory, 25-20.

Miami got solid play from Carico with her 17 kills as she added a match-high two service aces and 12 digs for her fifth consecutive double-double – the 17th overall on the year for the Manhattan Beach, Calif. native. Also reaching double digits for kills was Becker with 13 and Sims with 12.

Sims ended the night hitting at a team-high .476 clip and bringing in three digs while placing a match-high three blocks (assisted). Gallagher finished the night handing out a match-high 53 assists, and it was sophomore libero Ryan Shaffer heading up the defense with 18 digs while also serving an ace.

UNC was paced on offense by Nelson’s match-high 20 kills, followed by a double-double effort from McGee (19 kills, 10 digs). Berringer rounded out the double digit kills column with 12. Setter Erica Behm handed out 45 assists and libero Kaylie Gibson sprawled out for 22 digs.

With Friday night’s victory, Miami has now collected 20-win seasons in consecutive years – the third time in the last four seasons.

The Canes will get back to action Sunday, Nov. 6 when they host NC State at 1 p.m. The match will be streamed live on Canes All-Access and live audio will be provided by WVUM (90.5 FM) – the student voice of the Miami Hurricanes.

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.