@CanesVB Falls in HotelRED Finale, 3-0

MADISON, Wisc. – The University of Miami Hurricanes dropped their finale at the HotelRED Invitataional, falling in three sets to Missouri State.

The Canes and Bears battled tight in the first set, but Missouri State prevailed, 25-21. The Bear took the second set by a large margin, winning 25-14 to head into the break up 2-0. Missouri State closed out the match with a 25-20 win in the third set.

The Canes struggled to attack efficiently, hitting just .198 as a team. Savanah Leaf led Miami with 11 kills, while all-tournament selection Emani Sims added eight kills and a team-best four blocks.

Haley Templeton distributed 23 assists and had one of Miami’s two service aces, while juniors Taylor Scott and Kalysta White shared the team lead with five digs.

Earlier in the day, the Canes defeated Ball State in five sets. Miami rebounded from a 2-0 deficit to take the next three sets and the match against the Cardinals.

Leaf led the Canes against Ball State with 19 kills, while middle blocker Sims recorded 16 kills.

The senior captains got support from Scott (nine kills), Sakile Simmons (eight kills), Brooke McDermott (six kills) and Kelsie Groot (five kills).

Templeton spread the ball to Miami’s hitters tallying a career-high 53 assists. The freshman also recorded her first double-double, adding 11 digs and two service aces.

White led Miami with 16 digs, while freshman defensive specialist Sylvia Hernandez added 10 digs.

The Hurricanes return home to host the Hurricane Challenge next weekend. Miami will face UNC-Greensboro on Friday at 7 p.m. and Missouri on Saturday at 7 p.m. Admission is free to all matches.

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.