Nov. 9, 2001

Box Score

ATHENS, Ohio - A slow start put the Miami University volleyball team behind 0-2 in the match, but the RedHawks rallied to take two straight games from Ohio. Miami was unable to pull out the fifth game, falling to the Bobcats 24-30, 22-30, 30-25, 30-24 and 11-15. Miami falls to 11-11 and 8-7 in the Mid-American Conference, while Ohio improves to 8-15 overall and 6-8 in league action.

Miami was behind from the start in the first game and was unable to make up the difference. Down by as many as five in the early stages, Miami was able to pull within one, 16-17 on a Kelly McCullough service ace. Ohio, however, continued to build on its lead and took the first game, 30-24.

In the second game, the RedHawks were able to keep things close in the very early stages. The Bobcats notched five straight points to take an 8-3 lead and rolled from there, claiming the second game, 30-22. The Red and White recorded just nine kills in the second game and a dismal .053 hitting percentage.

The RedHawks took a 2-1 lead in the third game, one they would not relinquish, as the Red and White posted a 30-25 win. Jennifer Eaton sparked Miami's early run with two service aces, which sandwiched a McCullough kill, to give the RedHawks a 6-3 edge. Miami's offensive attack was much more on target in the third game as it posted a .302 hitting percentage off 20 kills in 43 attempts.

Highlighted by three Tara Buroker service aces amidst two Eaton kills and a kill by Erika Eagan, Miami captured a 30-24 win in the fourth set to send the match to a deciding game. Eagan also produced 10 digs in the game to aid the RedHawks.

Miami took a 4-2 lead, but Ohio rattled off four straight points to claim a 6-4 edge. Susan Poll smacked down a kill to pull the 'Hawks within one, but the Bobcats tallied three more points to take the 9-5 lead. Eagan knocked down a kill to give the RedHawks their sixth point, but again Ohio rattled off three unanswered to extend its lead to 12-6. A kill by McCullough and a block by McCullough/Eaton helped the RedHawk cause, but the Bobcat lead, however, was too much for the RedHawks as they fell11-15.

Eagan led the Red and White with 21 kills and 16 digs, while Eaton notched 15 kills and 18 digs. McCullough added 13 kills and seven blocks.