Volleyball Drops First Matchup in Program History to Michigan

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Miami volleyball concluded its season opening road trip Saturday, playing Michigan for the first time in program history. Despite a quick start and closely contested sets early, the Wolverines defeated the Hurricanes 3-0.

With the loss, Miami drops to 0-2 early in the 2026 season.

Ella Thompson led the Hurricanes with eight kills in her collegiate debut, also adding a service ace and two blocks. Asia Harvey finished with seven total kills after leading the Hurricanes in Friday’s season opener. Billie Reiter posted 17 assists and four digs in the loss.

Set 1: Michigan 25, Miami 15
Miami opened the match on a 3-0 run to take a quick lead over the Wolverines before Michigan went on a 5-1 run to take a 5-4 lead. Both teams traded points before Michigan eventually pulled away and Miami retied the game with a Sonja Danilovic ace. The Wolverines scored the next four points to take an 11-7 lead; a lead they wouldn’t surrender to take the first set 25-15.

Set 2: Michigan 25, Miami 15
The Hurricanes once again opened the scoring in the second set, but the Wolverines pushed, responding to tie the set four times. With Miami holding a 9-8 lead, Michigan responded with six straight points, making it a 15-9 game. The Wolverines closed the set on a 5-0 run to go up 2-0 on the Hurricanes. Thompson who opened the scoring in the set, led the way offensively for Miami in the second set, recording five of its 15 total points.

Set 3: Michigan 25, Miami 19
Michigan opened the scoring in the final set, but the Hurricanes quickly responded and erased a three-point deficit to tie the game at four. They came back to tie the must win set three straight times before taking a 10-9 lead. Michigan went on another run, scoring seven straight points. The Hurricanes continued to battle despite the deficit, pulling within two points and eventually tying the match at 18 thanks to an 8-2 run and a Ruth Martinez ace. The Hurricanes forced a Michigan timeout, but a 5-0 Wolverines run out of the timeout sealed the 25-19 set victory and 3-0 match win over Miami.

Up Next: The Miami Hurricanes will return to Coral Gables for their home opener, hosting UCLA for two matches beginning on Friday, Sept. 4. The match will begin at 6:30 p.m. Fans can enjoy a Pregame DJ and postgame mingle with the Hurricanes.