@CanesVB Falls to UALR in Fort Worth, 3-1

FORT WORTH, Texas – The Miami Hurricanes battled against Arkansas-Little Rock, but dropped their first match at the TCU NIKE Invitational.

The Canes and Trojans played an extended first set, but Miami outlasted UALR, taking the first set, 32-30. But UALR battled back to even the match at 1 apiece, taking the second set, 25-17. The Trojans took the third set, 25-17, and the fourth set, 25-18, to hand Miami its first loss of the 2014 season.

Miami, who entered the weekend leading the ACC with a .315 hitting percentage, struggled to get the attack running efficiently. The Canes hit .213 against UALR, while the Trojan attack combined to hit .378.

Two Canes registered double digit kills against UALR. Savanah Leaf led Miami with 19 kills, while Kelsie Groot recorded a double-double with 15 kills and 13 digs.

Senior Emani Sims and freshman Sakile Simmons each has three total blocks from their middle blocker position. Freshman setter Haley Templeton dished out 36 assists and added four kills, while junior defensive specialist Kalysta White led Miami with 14 digs.

The Canes return to the court Friday night to face the host TCU Horned Frogs at 9 p.m. ET. Miami’s final match of the weekend is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. ET on Saturday against Prairie View A&M.

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