Hurricanes Rally for Five-Set Comeback

CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The University of Miami volleyball team (11-5, 2-3) took the five-set win against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish (9-5, 2-3) Friday night in the Knight Sports Complex.

The Hurricanes tallied 50 kills, 18 blocks, 59 digs and six aces. Defensively, senior Ashley Carr led the team with 10 blocks, while junior Flormarie Heredia Colon earned a double-double with 13 kills and 12 digs.

Miami got off to an 8-4 lead as sophomore Grace Lopez earned a pair of kills. The Hurricanes continued to maintain the lead after senior Paula Guersching and senior Dalia Wilson picked up a block for the 14-8 advantage. The Fighting Irish held on to put the set within one, but the Hurricanes secured the opening set, 25-22.

Set two was filled with lead changes starting with Notre Dame going on a 6-1 run to start the set, until Miami went on its own 5-0 run after back-to-back kills and a block from Wilson for the 10-8 lead. The Fighting Irish once again took control with four consecutive points to lead 16-14 and continued to push and claim set two, 25-19.

The Hurricanes earned a 6-3 lead to kick things off for set three, but Notre Dame hung in to keep it within one. Despite holding a 14-9 advantage, the Fighting Irish evened the score at 15-all before leading 21-17. After 15 kills, Notre Dame took set three, 25-19.

Miami came out strong in set four, taking a 9-2 lead after five kills and three blocks around the court. The team put up six blocks to dominate the fourth set, while also hitting on a .318 clip. Senior Alanys Viera then put Miami on a 7-0 run behind the service line to push the lead to 21-9, ultimately forcing a fifth set with a 25-13 victory.

The final set was tight from start to finish, as Miami took the 8-6 advantage going into the side change. Notre Dame went on to tie it up at 12-all after a 3-0 run, but Miami came out on top with a 15-13 set win.

The Hurricanes are back at the Knight Sports Complex on Sunday, Oct. 13 to face No. 4 Louisville.