Dec. 3, 2009

Miami Volleyball Falls to FIU in NCAA Tourney, 3-2
Four FIU players posted double-digit kills while Miami's Lane Carico collected a match-high 21, as FIU slipped past Miami, 3-2 (25-16, 20-25, 22-25, 27-25, 15-11), on Thursday evening in the opening round of the NCAA Volleyball Tournament [Gainesville Regional] at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center in Gainesville, Fla.

Miami (18-13) and its cross-town counterparts put on a classic for all to see Thursday evening, with back-and-forth swings happening the entire way. The momentum swings were almost unbelievable in a match that saw 32 ties and 21 lead changes. The Hurricanes were making their first NCAA postseason appearance since a 2002 "Sweet 16" run, also coached by Nicole Lantagne Welch--now in her ninth year at the helm in Coral Gables.

With the Hurricanes holding a 2-1 set advantage in the match, and clinging to a 21-19 lead in the fourth set following a kill from sophomore Christine Williamson, FIU (32-3) had to find a momentum swing of its own down the stretch of the fourth frame.