Miami Earns Sweep Over No. 25 Arkansas in Home Opener

CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The University of Miami volleyball team (7-2) swept the No. 25 Arkansas Razorbacks (8-2), 3-0, Thursday night in the Knight Sports Complex.

The Hurricanes notched 43 kills on a .426 clip, 40 digs, nine blocks and seven service aces to claim the victory. Sophomore Grace Lopez recorded an incredible match with 18 kills on a .615 average and five blocks.

Arkansas held a 10-7 lead in the first set, but Miami continued to battle to tie it at 15-all when redshirt freshman Ariana Rodriguez recorded a kill. The remainder of the set was full of point-for-point plays, until junior Flormarie Heredia Colon gave the Hurricanes the lead with her first kill and block of the night. Miami claimed the opening set, 25-22, with Lopez tallying six kills.

Set two opened with a Razorback lead before Lopez and Rodriguez tied the set at seven-all with back-to-back kills. Redshirt freshman Bianka Lulic notched three consecutive blocks to put Miami up 14-10. Senior Paula Guersching came in the match to slam down three kills to secure set two, 25-20, for the Canes.

With three consecutive aces from Rodriguez and three kills within four points from Lopez, Miami went up 15-11 on Arkansas. With 13 kills and the team hitting on a.426 clip, the Hurricanes completed the sweep with a 25-23 win.

The Hurricanes will remain home to host Texas Tech and FIU on September 20 and 21, respectively, for the 305 Challenge.