Canes Prevail Over NC State In Five-Set Thriller

CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The University of Miami volleyball team claimed its first five-set battle of the season with a 3-2 victory over NC State Friday night.

Miami (11-5, 4-2 ACC) tallied 69 kills, 62 digs, 59 assists and 12 blocks in the back-and-forth fight. Sophomore Flormarie Heredia Colon set a new career-high 25 kills to ink her name in the Miami record book at No. 8 for most kills in a five-set match. She also averaged a double-double with 25 kills and 11 digs.

Set one started point-for-point with an eight-all score. Heredia Colon racked up six kills within the first 14 points for the Canes. Sophomore Naylani Feliciano dove a huge dig to save the ball and give Miami a 20-18 lead over the Wolfpack. The Canes prevailed and took the opening set, 25-21.

Fifth year Savannah Vach got set two rolling with a sneaky kill, ultimately helping the Canes notch 13 kills out of their first 17 points. Graduate student Janice Leao extended the lead for Miami, 22-19, after slamming one down for her sixth kill. NC State then went on a 4-0 scoring run to take the lead for a set-point and claimed it 25-23.

NC State took control of the beginning of the third set, starting with an 11-6 lead. The Canes clawed their way back to lead 18-17 after back-to-back blocks from Cianna Tejada and Peyman Yardimci. With an unusual assist from Leao, Heredia Colon gained her 18th kill of the night to win the third set, 25-22, for Miami.

The Wolfpack led most of set four, but Miami climbed back to tie at 19-all after kills from Lopez, Leao, Vach and Heredia Colon. Despite being up 24-23, NC State pushed pass to even the set score with a 27-25 victory in the fourth.

The Canes led 4-2 early in the final set after a block from Leao and Lopez. It was then when Heredia Colon obliterated her career high and pushed Miami to a 10-5 advantage. The Canes led 14-8 and tried to finish the job, but the Wolfpack went on a 6-0 run to tie it. Finally, junior Alanys Viera toed the line and finished the job, taking the set 16-14 and winning it for the Canes.

Miami will hit the road to face Clemson and Georgia Tech, Oct. 13 and 15, respectively.