Aug. 25, 2007
Box Score
NORMAL, Ill. - In its final match of the Redbird Classic, Miami University's volleyball team fell to tournament host Illinois State in four games (21-30; 30-26; 26-30; 28-30). Miami (0-2) tied the match following a strong game two, but Illinois State (1-1) rallied back to take games three and four to earn its first win of the season.
Two service aces by senior outside hitter Jeanna Staun and two kills from freshman middle hitter Michele Metzler set the tone early in game one as Miami jumped out to a quick 6-1 lead. Three kills from Illinois State's M.C. Richmond coupled with three Miami errors allowed Illinois State to cut its deficit to one, 12-11. A kill from Metzler pushed the RedHawks' lead to two, 14-12, until Illinois State used a four-point spurt to take its first lead of the game, 16-14. A service error by Illinois State and a service ace from senior middle hitter Carli Reihman cut the Redbird lead to one, 19-18, but that was as close as the RedHawks got as Illinois State won 11 of the next 13 points to take game one 30-21.
Illinois State started game two strong taking a 10-5 lead. Miami slowly crept back into the game and took its first lead when a service ace from sophomore middle hitter Megan Griffin sandwiched between two Reihman kills gave Miami a 17-16 lead. The RedHawks' lead remained one as late as 26-25, until a kill from sophomore setter Andrea Atteberry and a block assist from Atteberry and sophomore middle hitter Hallie Hanks cemented a 30-26 game two win.
After Illinois State took a 15-10 lead, Miami used kills from Staun and Metzler to stay within striking distance at 15-12. Miami went back and forth with Illinois State but could not close within three points as Illinois State took its largest lead of the game at 25-18. Miami reduced its deficit to three points, 26-29, but a kill by Katie Seyller gave Illinois State a 30-26 game three win.
A defensive theme set the tone at the beginning of game four as consecutive blocks by the Redbirds catapulted them to a 5-1 lead. Trailing 10-15, Miami used a block by junior outside hitter Alex Ratcliff and Reihman and a kill by Reihman to cut its deficit to 15-13. Three consecutive kills by Reihman, Staun and Metzler brought Miami within one point, 18-19, but Illinois State responded with four straight points to push its lead back to 23-18. A kill by Schroeder and two kills by Reihman ignited a Miami spurt to close within one, 26-27, but Illinois State squeaked by with a 30-28 win.
Reihman led the RedHawks with 14 kills, followed by Metzler and Schroeder, who added 12 kills apiece. Schroeder also collected 18 digs, giving her a double-double for the match. Junior libero Melissa Zenz posted a team-high 23 digs for Miami.
Richmond and Peggy Riessen notched 23 kills and 18 kills, respectively, to lead the Redbirds.
Miami returns home for the Miami Best Western/Sycamore Inn Classic next weekend. Miami plays Michigan at 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 31 before playing Wake Forest at noon and Pittsburgh at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 1.
NOTE: Following Miami's 7 p.m. match against Pittsburgh on Saturday, Sept. 1, Miami will host Meet the Team in the West Concourse of Millett Hall. Fans are invited to join the team for refreshments and an opportunity to meet the 2007 RedHawks.
