Oct. 1, 2005

Box Score

OXFORD, Ohio--In its Mid-American Conference home opener, Miami University's volleyball team captured a 30-18, 33-31, 30-25 win over Western Michigan (9-5; 2-2 MAC). Miami improved to 9-6 overall and 2-2 in MAC action.

Miami used a scorching .500 hitting percentage in the first game along with 5.0 blocks and four service aces to take a 1-0 lead in the match. It was close in the initial stages of the set with Western Michigan posting an early 8-6 lead, but Miami was able to come back and build a 17-13 lead. A kill by Abby Gebhart pulled the Broncos within one of the `Hawks, 16-17, but Miami went on a 13-2 flurry to capture the first game, 30-18. Sophomore outside hitter Jeanna Staun (Loveland, Ohio/Ursuline Academy) served up two of her three aces for the game during the run, while freshman middle hitter Emily Schroeder (Indianapolis, Ind./Bishop Chatard) hammered three kills, and Staun and freshman outside hitter Alex Ratcliff (Champaign, Ill./Champaign Central) each knocked down a solo block.

Western Michigan jumped out to a 15-9 lead in the second game and continued its hold on the game building a nine-point lead 26-17 with help from six kills by Shaylen Jackson over the first part of the set. Aided by kills from junior middle hitter Lauren Slusser (Columbus Grove, Ohio/Columbus Grove) and senior outside hitter Kristen Walters (Springfield, Ohio/Shawnee), Miami pulled within five of the Broncos 22-27, but a kill by WMU's Kathryn Babcock and a Miami ball handling error put the Broncos at game point, 29-22. The RedHawks staged a remarkable 11-2 run, including an 8-0 stretch to seize the second game, 33-31. Solo blocks by Schroeder, and senior setter Megan Clark (Solon, Ohio) and a block by Walters and Schroeder along with three kills from Staun spurred the RedHawks down the stretch.

In the third game, Western Michigan held an early 4-2 lead, but RedHawks went on a 3-0 run and the Broncos would not lead again in the set. Miami eventually constructed a 22-14 lead and never looked back as the RedHawks posted the 30-25 game-three win.

For Miami, Ratcliff tallied 10 kills, while Schroeder added 13 digs and sophomore middle hitter Carli Reihman (Cincinnati, Ohio/Ursuline Academy) added 11 digs. Schroeder also notched a match-high six blocks (2 solo; 4 assist).

For Western Michigan, Jackson posted a match-best 14 kills, while Katy Duffy notched a match-high 16 digs.

Miami hits the road next weekend, playing at Buffalo at 6 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 7 and at Akron at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 8.