@CanesVB Rallies Past BC in ACC Opener
CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. – Trailing two games to none, the University of Miami volleyball team faced a tough situation in its first ACC match. But the Hurricanes rallied back to beat Boston College in five sets.
Miami (8-3, 1-0 ACC) dropped the first set 25-22 and battled, but dropped the second set 34-32. Boston College needed to take just one more set to secure a victory in the Eagles’ ACC opener.
But the Hurricanes regrouped at the intermission and charged back to take the third set 25-14. Miami continued to roll, taking the fourth set 25-19. In the fifth and final set, the Canes finished their comeback attempt, winning 15-11. The victory is the first ACC win for first year head coach Jose “Keno” Gandara.
Miami had three players register double-doubles as juniors Savanah Leaf (17 kills, 12 digs) and Alexis Mourning (14 kills, 17 blocks), as well as sophomore Misty Ma’a (16 kills, 10 digs), made major contributions in the five-set win.
Senior Alex Johnson turned in another strong performance, finishing with eight kills and 14 digs to go with a team-high three service aces. Junior Emani Sims also had a good match, collecting nine kills and six blocks.
Junior setter Blair Fuentez, who had 53 assists, paced a Miami attack that finished with a .263 attack percentage.
Defensively, Mourning’s career-best 17 blocks helped the Canes tally 46 blocks on the afternoon. Senior defensive specialist Ryan Shaffer led Miami with 22 digs.
The Hurricanes are back in action Sunday at 1 p.m., when they face Syracuse in the Carrier Dome. The match will be the second of six matches scheduled for the venue this season.
Following their trip to the Northeast, Miami will battle a pair of ACC opponents in the South as they travel to Clemson and Georgia Tech in the first weekend of October. The Canes’ next home match is scheduled for Oct. 11 against Pitt. The Hurricanes will host the Panthers at 7 p.m. at the Knight Complex.
Miami volleyball season tickets are available for $35. Canes fans can also purchase a combined season ticket package for volleyball and soccer for $50. Single-game volleyball tickets are just $5 for adults and $3 for youth (Ages 3-17). For more information or to purchase tickets, visit CanesTix.com or call 305-284-2263.
For all the latest information on Miami Hurricanes volleyball, follow the official Twitter feed, @CanesVB, or “Like Us” on Facebook at facebook.com/UMVolleyball. The program is also on Instagram (CanesVB).
