Bulls Drop Tough Match To Miami

Mapé and Morzenti each register 12 kills

Nikki Morzenti

BUFFALO, NY – The University at Buffalo volleyball team dropped it fourth straight match on Saturday night, falling to Miami (OH), 3-0, at Alumni Arena. The loss drops UB to 13-14 on the season and 2-8 in conference play. It is also the first time UB has fallen under .500 since the first weekend of the season.

The Bulls played tough against a red-hot Miami (OH) team that won its seventh straight match tonight. The RedHawks won the contest, 30-26, 30-23, 30-28. Despite the loss, UB’s two senior outside hitters led the way with 12 kills a piece, which was tops on the team. Nikki Morzenti (Safety Harbor, FL/Clearwater) hit a match-high .409 (12-3-22) and recorded five digs, while Jenna Mapé (Calgary, Alberta/Father Lacombe) added six digs to her 12-kill total.

After recording just one block last night, UB exploded for eight total team blocks this evening, including two solo blocks and two block assists from senior Brandie Clark (Medicine Hat, Alberta/Medicine Hat). Sophomore Alyssa Fitchette (Watertown, NY/Watertown/Genesee CC) also had four total blocks, with one solo block. Clark also led all players with 35 assists. Junior Lizaiha Garcia (Dayton, OH/Beavercreek) led the blue and white with 12 digs on the evening.

Brandie Clark

UB had its best shot in the third game where it began the match up 9-6. Even though UB would relinquish that lead, three kills by Mapé put UB right back into the game and gave it a 23-22 advantage. The Bulls would fight to the end of that game and cut the Miami lead to 29-28, but the RedHawks were able to take the game and the match with a kill from Emily Schroeder.

The RedHawks (11-12, 7-3 MAC) were led by Schroeder who notched a match-high 17 kills and chipped in seven digs. Melissa Zenz led the match with 16 digs, while Andrea Atteberry and Ashley Davis split the setting duties and recorded 23 and 14 assists, respectively.

UB returns home next weekend for its final two regular season home matches. Buffalo hosts Eastern Michigan on Friday night and then Central Michigan on Saturday night. Both matches are set to begin at 7:00 pm and prior to the match against CMU, UB will honor its three seniors.

10/21/2006