Miami Advances To Second Round of NCAA Tournament

MADISON, Wisc. – The University of Miami volleyball team came out on top, 3-1, in the first round of the NCAA Tournament against No. 8-seeded Northern Iowa.

Miami (18-11) tallied 57 kills, 48 digs, 50 assists and 14 blocks. Freshman Grace Lopez earned a career-high 30 kills for the third most in a match in Miami history while also notching three blocks. Savannah Vach also inked her name in the top of the record book after breaking the program record for career assists, with her 5,209 total.

Set one started off with an ace from sophomore Flormarie Heredia Colon. Miami then went on a 7-2 run filled with blocks and kills around the squad. Lopez got things rolling with five kills, while Casiano helped with three kills and two blocks to secure set one, 25-23.

The Canes started on a 6-1 run to start off the second set. Graduate student Abby Casiano notched two blocks to kick things off and Grace Lopez earned a kill and block to help the early start. Leao and Grieve helped Miami to an 11-6 lead with consecutive kills, ultimately helping take set two, 25-19.

The Panthers opened set three on a hot start, being up 10-6. Casiano helped guide the Canes back with back-to-back kills to tie it at 14-all. As UNI started to pull away again, Lopez evened the score with her 17th kill to tie it at 18-all. UNI kept fighting and took the third set, 25-20.

Lopez secured three kills early in the fourth set to lead the Canes, 7-4. Leao then delivered a loud block to stay up 15-11 on the Panthers. Grieve and Lopez kept the momentum going to push Miami over to a 22-15 lead on a 3-0 run. Vach then claimed her 44th assist of the game to Leao to take the set, 25-20, and secure the victory.

The Hurricanes will advance to the second round of the NCAA Tournament and face the winner between Wisconsin and Jackson State, Dec. 1.