Miami Takes Down No. 1 Texas, Gandara Earns 200th Career Win
AUSTIN, Texas – The University of Miami volleyball team (5-0) defeated the defending 2023 national champions and No. 1-ranked Texas Longhorns (2-2) in five sets, Saturday evening in the Gregory Gymnasium.
With the victory, head coach Jose ‘Keno’ Gandara earned his 200th career win at Miami and the highest-ranked win in program history. The team totaled 54 kills, 56 digs, 53 assists and 11 blocks. Sophomore Grace Lopez led the team with 20 kills, 15 digs and four blocks.
“It was an amazing night,” said Gandara. “It was an important win for this group and it’s continue development. It was a monumental win for our program, alumni and coaches that have been a part of this and a certainly a memorable win for me, as I will always remember who I was with and where I was when we earned No. 200.”
Set one started tight, with redshirt freshman Bianka Lulic earning a kill to give Miami the 9-8 lead. Texas began to pull away, but four kills from junior Flormarie Heredia Colon helped the Canes cut the deficit to 19-15. Miami continued to battle after totaling 13 kills, but dropped the opening set, 25-19.
Texas got off on a hot start to start the second set, leading 6-2. After back-to-backs kills from Heredia Colon and sophomore Lopez, Miami made it a 10-13 score. The Longhorns continued to push forward and went on a 7-2 run to take the second set, 25-17.
Miami kept it close in the third set, ultimately taking the 12-11 lead after a block from Lulic and Lopez. The Canes then went on a 5-1 run as Lopez claimed three blocks and senior Paula Guersching earned a kill for the 15-14 lead. The Canes led 22-19 when Texas came back to tie it at 22-all. Redshirt freshman Ariana Rodriguez secured the set-three win, 26-24, with a block and force a fourth set.
The Canes claimed the early lead in set four, going up 10-6. Miami maintained the lead after a kill and back-to-back blocks from junior Dalia Wilson for the 19-16 advantage. After a 5-1 run, Miami forced a fifth set after claiming set four, 25-18.
Heredia Colon earned the 8-5 lead for the Canes while Lopez sealed the match after a 15-11 set-five win.
Miami will travel to Columbus, Ohio, to face Ohio State, Wright State and Buffalo on Sept. 13-15, respectively.
