Volleyball Travels to Illinois State
CORAL GABLES, Fla. — After winning all four matches to start the season at the Hurricane Invitational last weekend, the University of Miami volleyball team will hit the road for the first time in 2012, participating in the Redbird Classic at Illinois State University. The Canes will take on Oregon State (4:30 p.m.) on Friday before playing the host Redbirds (11 a.m.) and Presbyterian (5:30 p.m.) on Saturday.
UM has won 21 straight non-conference regular season matches heading into the tournament and its last 10 neutral site contests.
“We are looking forward to traveling to Illinois State this weekend,” said head coach Nicole Lantagne Welch. “We have two players from the state and it is always great to get our players back home. To be successful, we know that you have to come ready to bring your best game whether you are at home or on the road.”
The two players referenced are senior setter Nrithya Sundararaman and sophomore middle blocker Emani Sims. Sundararaman hails from Naperville, Ill., while Sims is a native of Glenview, Ill. This weekend will be the first time UM volleyball has ever competed in the Prairie State.
En route to the Hurricane Invitational title, junior right side Alex Johnson won MVP honors after racking up 48 kills on an impressive .421 hitting percentage. In addition, she added 31 digs, 19 assists and 11 service aces to fill up the stat sheet. Junior outside hitter Taylor Hollins and sophomore middle blocker Alexis Mourning were named to the all-tournament team.
Of the three other teams at the Redbird Classic, UM has only played one match in its history against the field. The Hurricanes defeated Illinois, 2-0, at the Cincinnati Tournament on Oct. 17, 1980.
“We are going to take it one match at a time this weekend,” Lantagne Welch said. “Oregon State is a very good team and they come from a volleyball tradition-rich Pac-12 and will bring a high-level game. I haven’t seen our opponents for Saturday but we will have to bring our best in order to win.”
SCOUTING THE REDBIRD CLASSIC
Oregon State
Record: 2-1, 0-0 Pac 12
Head Coach: Taras Liskevych (Eighth season)
Series vs. UM: 0-0
Last Time vs. UM: N/A
First Time vs. UM: N/A
- Friday will mark the first meeting between the programs
- The Beavers started the season going 2-1 at the Varney Invitational, defeating Oakland and UC Irvine before falling to host Kansas State
- Camile Saxton leads the team with 39 kills, while Becky Defoe has 54 digs to pace the defense
- OSU placed eighth in the Pac-12 last season
Illinois State
Record: 1-2, 0-0 Missouri Valley
Head Coach: Melissa Myers (Fifth season)
Series vs. UM: Miami leads, 1-0
Last Time vs. UM: Miami won, 2-0 (Oct. 17, 1980 at Cincinnati, Ohio)
First Time vs. UM: Same
- ISU started off the season dropping two of three at the Ball State Tournament
- Ashley Rosch earned all-tournament honors after notching 22 digs and 28 points in the event
- Shannon McGlaughlin leads the team with 29 kills (2.64 k/s)
- The Redbirds went 18-14 last season
- Play this weekend will be held inside the Redbird Arena (10,200)
Presbyterian
Record: 1-4, 0-0 Big South
Head Coach: Chris Belshe (Seventh season)
Series vs. UM: 0-0
Last Time vs. UM: N/A
First Time vs. UM: N/A
- The Blue Hose dropped three of four to start the season at the UNiWyo Wyoming Invite, defeating Eastern Washington
- The team lost its home opener against East Tennessee State on Tuesday, 3-0
- Presley Mabrey leads the team with 39 kills (3.00 k/s), while setter Ashtin Frank has 157 assists so far
- PC went 13-17 last season
The ticket office is pleased to offer season tickets for both volleyball and soccer for just $50. Season tickets to the home volleyball schedule at the Knight Complex can be purchased for $35, with single match tickets available for as low as $3. Call 1-800-GO-CANES to order your tickets today.
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