Miami Drops Battle to No. 4 Louisville

CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The University of Miami volleyball team (11-6, 2-4) fell, 3-1, to No. 4 Louisville (14-2, 6-0) on Sunday afternoon in the Knight Sports Complex.

The Hurricanes tallied 47 kills, 13 blocks and 38 digs. Sophomore Grace Lopez led with a season-best 25 kills, while senior Ashley Carr claimed seven blocks.

Miami started the match with a 7-4 lead after five kills around the court, until Louisville went on to tie to make it 12-all. The Cardinals went on a 5-1 run to lead 17-15 before Lopez earned her sixth kill to put it within one. Once again, Louisville pulled away for the 22-18 advantage. The Hurricanes kept battling, but the Cardinals took the opening set, 25-23.

Louisville kept control of the start of set two after going on a 6-0 run following three aces for the 12-7 lead. The Hurricanes tried to make up ground after Lopez tallied three more kills to cut the deficit to 18-14. The Cardinals never backed down and claimed four blocks for the set, 25-17.

Set three opened with a tied score at six, with both teams trading points until it was 13-all. Miami started to pull away after a 5-0 run, after back-to-back blocks from Dalia Wilson and kills from Lopez to lead 21-17. Lopez herself earned the Canes four consecutive points to take set three, 25-18.

The Cardinals held the lead in set four, going up 16-10 after a 4-0 run. Miami tried to cut the deficit after another Flormarie Heredia Colon kill to only trail 19-15. Louisville went on to secure the final set, 25-20 and take the match.

Miami will head north to face Syracuse and Boston College on Oct. 18 and 20.