Boston College
MIAMI, FL
Volleyball Drops BIG EAST Opener
September 28, 2002 | Volleyball
Sept. 28, 2002
CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. - The Boston College volleyball team (7-8, 0-1 BIG EAST) opened their 2002 BIG EAST campaign with a loss to the University of Miami (13-0) Saturday afternoon in Power Gymnasium. The Hurricanes are undefeated on the season (1-0 BIG EAST). The win extends Miami's NCAA-leading win streak to 24 matches.
Miami arrived at the Heights for its first-ever BIG EAST contest and began with an intense game characterized by hard-hitting and great defensive blocking. Boston College trailed slightly for most of the game, but tied the game at 23. From that point on, the teams exchanged points until Miami had a chance to put it away with a score of 29-27. Boston College would not go easily, once again tying the score (at 29). Miami had five potential game points spoiled by the Eagles in the win-by-two format. With the score 34-33 in favor of the home team, the Hurricanes then had their chance to spoil, and did, taking the game 37-35.
The Eagles came out swinging hard in the second game. The score was even until the end, when Boston College won by two, 31-29. Katie Andersen, Dara Blandino and Rachel Bach recorded key kills to lead the Eagles to the second game victory.
After dropping a game, Miami was determined to relinquish their lead and defend their NCAA-leading record for consecutive wins. Captain Kim Carlson hit well for the Eagles but Boston College never came back from the initial 3-0 deficit, and dropped the game 30-21.
Deflated from the loss, Boston College could not connect for the final game. Miami dominated at the net, blocking the Eagle attack and getting key kills from Valeria Tipiana. Miami prevailed, 30-14.
Miami's Tipiana, a BIG EAST Player of the Week (Sept. 2, 2002), played well for the Canes, recording a kill-dig double-double and adding a solo block while assisting on four others. Marcela Gamarra also recorded a kill-dig double-double for the match.
Bright spots for Boston College include 19 kills by and the third consecutive kill-dig double-double for Andersen. Dara Blandino set a career high with 17 kills.
The Eagles will try to equalize their BIG EAST record tomorrow against conference foe Virginia Tech. The match will be held at 1:00 in Power Gymnasium.
