@CanesVB Closes Tourney with Win over LSU
BATON ROUGE, La. – The University of Miami volleyball team closed out the LSU Tournament with a four-set victory over the host LSU Tigers.
The Canes (5-3, 0-0 ACC) took the opening set, 25-23, but LSU answered with a 25-20 win the second set to head into the intermission tied at one set apiece. Miami charged out of the break and won the third set, 25-20, and closed out the victory with a 25-23 advantage in the fourth set.
Miami was led by middle blocker Alexis Mourning, who led the Canes in kills, blocks and attack percentage. The senior was one of two Hurricanes to tally 14 kills and added six blocks while hitting a team-high .542 against the Tigers. Mourning was one of three Hurricanes to be named to the All-Tournament team.
Tournament MVP Taylor Scott and Kelsie Groot recorded double-doubles for the second straight day in Baton Rouge. Scott recorded 14 kills and 13 digs, while Groot added 10 kills, 15 digs and two services aces.
The Hurricanes also got solid production from newcomers Olga Strantzali and Lucia Pampana. Strantzali recorded nine kills, eight digs, four blocks and two aces, while Pampana added six kills and a pair of blocks.
Setter Haley Templeton kept the Miami offense going, distributing 47 assists and adding eight digs, three blocks and a pair of kills. Senior Kalysta White led the Hurricanes with 18 digs and was the final Hurricane to earn All-Tournament honors.
The Canes’ victory over LSU closed out a 2-0 weekend in Baton Rouge. Miami defeated No. 20 Purdue in five sets on Saturday night, securing the program’s firstwin over a ranked team since beating No. 12 North Carolina in five sets on Nov. 3, 2013. The victory was also the program’s first win over a ranked opponent away from Coral Gables since Miami beat No. 15 Wisconsin in four sets in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Dec 7, 2002.
Miami will close out the non-conference portion of its 2015 schedule next week with the FIU/Miami Challenge, hosting Seattle University at 7 pm on Sept. 17 and UCF at 7 PM on Sept. 18. Both matches will be play at the James L. Knight Sports Complex and admission is free.
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.
