Miami University
Ball State
RedHawks Soar Past Cardinals for Eighth Consecutive Win
10/19/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Oct. 19, 2007
MUNCIE, Ind. - A mix of veteran leadership and young talent led Miami University's volleyball team to its eighth consecutive victory as the RedHawks defeated the Ball State Cardinals in four games in Mid-American Conference play Friday night. Miami (11-7; 8-1 MAC) was led by senior outside hitter Jeanna Staun's 12 kills and freshman middle hitter Michele Metzler's nine total blocks, while Ball State (3-18; 2-7 MAC) hit .047 for the match.
Four errors put the RedHawks in a five-point hole, 4-9, in game one. Four Cardinal errors combined with a kill from Staun brought the RedHawks within one point, 9-10. Trailing by two points, 9-11, the RedHawks took six of the next seven points giving Miami its first lead of the game, 15-12. Ball State responded with a four-point run of its own, re-taking a one-point lead, 16-15. Five tied scores ensued, with the last occurring at 22-22, but a kill by senior middle hitter Carli Reihman, a block by Staun and Metzler and a kill by junior outside hitter Alex Ratcliff put the RedHawks up three points, 25-22. Holding onto a two-point lead, 28-26, consecutive kills by Staun iced the game for Miami as the RedHawks took game one, 30-26. Staun and Metzler combined for five total blocks in game one, while Staun hit .429 en route to seven kills.
Three attack errors and a kill apiece from Metzler and Ratcliff gave the RedHawks a 5-0 lead in game two. After a Ball State kill closed the Miami lead to two points, 13-11, three Cardinal errors alongside a block by Metzler and Staun pushed Miami's helped push Miami's lead to seven points, 18-11. Strong play by Ball State and a few Miami errors allowed the Cardinals to close within one point, 23-22. Consecutive kills by Ball State gave the Cardinals their first lead of the game, 27-26. Miami came back and held game point, 29-28, after a Reihman kill, but a block by Ball State followed by a kill and a Miami attack error gave the Cardinals a 31-29 game-two win.
Miami played steady early in game three and held a 10-8 lead. With its two-point lead still in tact, 13-11, a block by Staun and Griffin, a service ace by sophomore libero Maria Leahy and a kill apiece from Reihman and sophomore setter Andrea Atteberry pushed Miami's lead to six points, 18-12. A Reihman kill ensued by a Ball State kill made the score 19-13 and the RedHawks took four of the next five points giving Miami a 23-14 lead. Miami kept the pressure on and eventually cruised to a 30-18 game-three win.
A service error by Atteberry and a block by the Metzler, Ratcliff duo led Miami to a 5-0 lead in game four. Ball State made a couple valiant runs, but it wasn't enough as the RedHawks went on to win game four 30-19.
For the third consecutive game, Miami had four players collect double-digit kills led by Staun's 12 kills. Metzler collected a career-high nine total blocks, surpassing her previous career-high of eight total blocks set in the RedHawks' last match versus Central Michigan. Junior libero Melissa Zenz added three service aces for Miami.
Julie Breivogel led the Cardinals with 14 kills.
Miami heads to Toledo for a 3 p.m. match against the Toledo Rockets on Saturday, Oct. 20.
