We arrived early to the anticipated match between FIU and UM. Some in our group were going to root for UM and other for FIU. I had no idea who would win but was sure that the match would go to 4 sets and I would not have been surprised to see the match go to 5 sets. I never imagined that FIU would beat UM in 3 sets, but that's what happened.
An estimated attendance of 1,200 fans most of which were pro FIU were to be heard from quite often through-out the night as FIU defeated UM 3-0 (26-24, 26-24, 25-17), on Thursday evening at U.S. Century Bank Arena in Miami, Fla. on FIU's Coach Tomics' Birthday.
Where were the UM students? It's just a 20 min drive to the FIU Arena. How would UM have played with support.
As the match started, UM raced to a convincing 9-3 lead behind an early strong performance from Ali Becker and Genny Mayhew. In the early run, FIU (6-1) committed four errors to help the Hurricanes cause. The Golden Panthers kicked off a 10-4 run with a kill from Andrea Lakovic to eventually knot the score, 13-13.
The tie was the first of 20 ties and six lead changes in the match. This set had everyone on the edge of their seats. Finally FIU inched out the victory 25-24.
The second set was mostly controlled by FIU but for a late rally from UM to make things interesting. In the end FIU was victorious again 26-24.
After intermission, I was sure that UM would come out breathing fire and will them selves to a victory. To my surprise FIU started slamming in point after point kill after kill. After a while UM started pressing trying to make things happen but this night FIU was too strong winning the last set 25-17.
FIU unveiled it's Sun Belt Conference Championship, it's 28-7 record and it's second ever participation in the NCAA tournamet for 2008.
On such a historical night, the first EVER match between both programs; it was terrible to see the injuries to two of our beloved players. First was the injury to Yarimar Rosa, which seemed to be a fracture to a finger. She seemed to be in terrible pain and agony as she walked to the locker room. Shortly thereafter UM's star setter Katie Gallagher landed poorly on her right leg and had to be helped off the court. The extent of both players exact injuries is not certain, but booth seemed to be in pain as they left to the locker rooms.
It's strange because I hardly see any injuries in Volleyball and on such a special night to see two of my favorite players get hurt took away from such a special night.
Miami (5-2) was held to a season-low 43 points and the second-lowest production of kills (34) on Thursday evening. In the process, the Hurricanes were unable to place a player in double-figures in the kills category for just the second time all season.
FIU was led by Rosa's 17 kills and 11 digs, while teammates Vergun (13) and Sabrina Gonzalez (10) both added double figures for kills. Libero Chanel Araujo collected a match-high 18 digs.
As for Miami, the `Canes were paced by Mayhew's eight kills and six digs. Behind her were Carico and McGee, each collecting seven kills. McGee added a team-best four blocks, while setter Katie Gallagher put up 27 assists, seven digs and three blocks (assisted).
Both teams continue action tmrw as FIU hosts Albany on Friday @ 7:00PM and Miami hosts Middle Tennessee State at 6 p.m. to the James L. Knight Sports Complex on the campus of UM in Coral Gables.
See Ya There!
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