Hurricanes Take Down Redbirds, 3-1

NORMAL, Ill. – The University of Miami volleyball team (6-1) took the 3-1 win over the Illinois State Redbirds (3-3) on Friday night at the Linda Herman Classic.

The Hurricanes tallied 46 kills, 51 digs, nine blocks and eight aces. Senior Flormarie Heredia Colon led the team with 19 kills, senior Dalia Wilson had five blocks, redshirt sophomore Ariana Rodriguez tallied 33 assists and senior Naylani Feliciano notched 18 digs.

Illinois State opened strong, but Miami quickly found its rhythm behind Rodriguez’s four aces and Heredia Colon’s four kills. Wilson and sophomore Logan Wiley combined for key points at the net for the 25-22 opening set win.

Down early, the Hurricanes chipped away behind freshmen Simone Baskin and Amina N’Diaye while Heredia Colon kept pounding from the outside. Rodriguez kept the offense balanced, but Miami couldn’t fully erase the deficit and dropped the frame 25-20.

With kills around the court, Wilson, N’Diaye, and Heredia Colon tallied 12 kills in set three. Miami surged ahead midway, building a six-point cushion, and N’Diaye’s finish sealed the 25-21 win and a two-set lead.

Heredia Colon opened with back-to-back kills, Baskin added another, and Feliciano ripped a service ace as Miami stormed to a 10-5 lead. Wilson dominated at the net to power the Hurricanes to a 25-13 clincher and their first four-set match.

Miami will face Illinois on Saturday to close out their first road weekend.