Miami Volleyball Avenges Earlier Loss to Georgia Tech

ATLANTA – Senior middle blocker Ali Becker had 19 kills and hit .457 as the University of Miami volleyball team extended its winning streak to nine matches on Friday in defeating Georgia Tech, 3-2, in Atlantic Coast Conference action inside O’Keefe Gymnasium. The Hurricanes won the match on scores of 22-25, 25-20, 20-25, 25-15 and 15-11.

Miami (24-3, 15-3 Atlantic Coast Conference) avenged an earlier loss to Georgia Tech by once again going to five sets in Atlanta. It was the fifth time in the last seven meetings that the Hurricanes and Yellow Jackets have gone to a fifth and final set inside O’Keefe Gym. Additionally, the win tied the season-long for the Hurricanes as the team began the 2011 season with a 9-0 record before falling at Florida State on ESPNU.

The only loss of the year at home for UMiami came at the hands of Georgia Tech (15-14, 8-10 ACC) back in October. On Friday night, Miami looked to avenge the loss that snapped an 11-match home win streak inside the James L. Knight Sports Complex.

With UMiami falling behind in the match, 2-1, Hurricanes head coach Nicole Lantagne Welch rallied her team to a decisive 25-15 win in the fourth set. The Canes kept that momentum going with a 15-11 edge in the fifth frame to earn their first win in Atlanta since 2009.

In earning the win, the Canes got solid performances from a number of different players.

All-ACC nominee Ali Becker, a native of Katy, Texas, continued her impressive hitting percentage as she recorded a .457 clip with a team-high 19 kills on 35 swings. She would also add five assisted blocks for the Orange and Green.

Redshirt freshman middle blocker Emani Sims put down seven blocks and tallied a season-high tying 13 kills – her second consecutive match with double digit kills. Sims added two digs and hit .391 in the match. Meanwhile, senior All-America outside hitter Lane Carico placed 15 kills to go along with 15 digs for the double-double, adding two blocks and a service ace.

Redshirt senior setter Katie Gallagher did not make the start, but still handed out a team-high 40 assists and brought in 10 digs for the double-double effort. Junior setter/hitter Nrithya Sundararaman got the start for the Canes.

Sophomore libero Ryan Shaffer went low for 11 digs.

The Yellow Jackets were led by Monique Mead with a match-high 24 kills while collecting 16 digs. Teammate Jennifer Percy also touched double digits with 15 kills and added six digs and two blocks. Libero Nicki Meyer sprawled out for a match-high 25 digs.

Miami will look to continue its winning streak Saturday, Nov. 19 as the Canes take on the Clemson Tigers in South Carolina beginning at 5 p.m. Live stats will be available at ClemsonTigers.com.

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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