Swimming and Diving
The University of Miami swimming and diving team alongside alumni honored retired Hall of Fame swimming coach Bill Diaz in a dedication ceremony before the Hurricanes’ defeated in-state rival Florida Atlantic 164 to 136.
The swimming and diving squad along with alumni began a fundraising campaign last summer to fund a pool side electronic scoreboard in Diaz’s name. An inscription on the new scoreboard will read “In honor of Coach Bill Diaz.”
Over 60 former swimmers and divers attended the event, which also honored Hall of Fame swimmer Matt Gribble, who died tragically in March of this year. The fundraiser also purchased a commemorative plaque listing Gribble’s many accomplishments in Miami and in International competition.
After the ceremony, the Hurricanes won 11 of the meet’s 16 events, including the 400-yard freestyle relay and both diving events, to win the meet.
Senior Manon Van Rooijen swept the sprint freestyle events, winning the 50-yard freestyle (24.70), the 100-yard freestyle (52.33) and anchoring the first place 400-yard freestyle relay.
Fellow senior Katalin Ferenzci also took home first in all the backstroke events, winning the 100-yard backstroke (58.16), less than a second off her school record time, and the 200-yard backstroke in a time of 2:04.88.
Sophomore Nancy Gajos won the 100-yard butterfly with a time of 57.71 while freshman Taylor McFarlane touched first in the 200-yard freestyle at 1:53. 78.
Freshman Lauren Shue continues her strong distance performances, winning the 1650-yard freestyle with a time of 17:13.27-nearly thirty seconds faster than the second place finisher. Shue also took second in the 500-yard freestyle (5:05.34) and third in the 200-yard butterfly (2:10.72).
The Hurricanes return to action when they host Florida State and Indian River Community College Friday, Nov. 12.
Volleyball
Junior outside hitter Karla Johnson went 17-for-35 with no errors and a .486 hitting percentage to pace the Hurricanes to a 3-0 (30-16, 30-28, 30-16) win over ACC foe Virginia Sunday afternoon at the Knight Sports Complex.
Also posting a double-digit kill effort was senior outside hitter Elizabeth Tyson who hit 12 kills on 24 swings for a .417 hitting percentage. Tyson was one dig shy of a double-double and also posted one solo block and one block assist. Sophomore setter Jill Robinson led all players with 41 assists.
Defensively, the Hurricanes combined for 13.0 blocks while holding the Cavaliers to only one block in the match. Redshirt freshman Ciara Michel posted seven total blocks (1 BS, 6 BA) to lead all players. Senior Valeria Tipiana recorded six block assists while classmate Jamie Grass registered a match-high 18 digs.
As a team, the Hurricanes hit .422 with 52 kills and only six errors while holding UVa to a .131 hitting percentage and forcing 26 digs.
The Hurricanes return to action on Friday, Nov. 12 when they travel to Chapel Hill to take on the Tar Heels of the University of North Carolina. They also take on North Carolina State on Sunday, Nov 14.