Hurricanes Claim First ACC Win

BLACKSBURG, Va. – The University of Miami volleyball team (10-4) earned its first ACC victory after a sweep over the Virginia Tech Hokies (6-7) Friday night in the Cassell Coliseum.

The Hurricanes totaled 47 kills, 46 digs, 12 blocks and four service aces to claim the conference win. Junior Flormarie Heredia Colon and sophomore Grace Lopez had nearly identical stats, as both Hurricanes combined for 30 kills and hit on a .444 clip with nine digs.

Miami started on a 7-4 lead with five different Hurricanes earning a kill. The Hokies continued to battle to keep it close, with Miami only leading 14-12. The team pulled away as junior Dalia Wilson claimed her first kill to put the Canes up 20-14 before Virginia Tech fought once again to cut the deficit with a 5-1 run. Redshirt freshman Bianka Lulic put set one away with a kill, giving Miami the 25-22 win.

Heredia Colon opened set two with back-to-back kills to lead the Hurricanes, 6-3, over the Hokies. Miami remained dominant in set two, with 11 kills in Miami’s 16 points. Within a 7-2 run, every Hurricane on the court secured blocks and kills to keep extending the lead, 23-9. The Hokies then went on a 6-0 run to only trail 23-16, ultimately leading to a dominant Miami set win, 25-16.

The Hurricanes went on a 6-0 run to enter the final set after kills from Lopez, Heredia Colon and redshirt freshman Ariana Rodriguez. Senior Paula Guersching joined in on set three, earning a pair of kills to help Miami lead 17-13. The Hurricanes hit .345 as a team in the third set to secure the 25-18 win.

Miami will remain on the road to face Virginia on Oct. 6 in Charlottesville, Va.