Sept. 27, 2008
Final Stats
KALAMAZOO, Mich. - In a battle between the two Mid-American Conference Division favorites Saturday, Miami fell to Western Michigan 3-1. The RedHawks are now 7-7 on the season, and 1-1 in the MAC. The Broncos are 11-2 and 2-0.
Miami dropped set one 19-25. A slow start doomed the RedHawks, as the Broncos jumped to an early 10-3 lead. An 8-2 run keyed by three kills from Hallie Hanks pulled Miami to within one at 11-12. Western responded with a 7-3 run to push the lead back up to five at 19-14. Miami scored three straight points off kills from Emily Schroeder and Maria Leahy, but the Broncos finished off the first set win with a 6-2 run.
The teams traded the first 14 points of set two, and found themselves in a 7-7 tie. Miami went on an 8-3 run to take a 15-10 lead. Andrea Atteberry recorded assists on four of the points during that stretch. The RedHawks pushed the lead to 18-12, off two kills from Hanks, as well as one from Megan Griffin. That proved to be more than enough as they forced Western into an attack error to take the second set, 25-18.
In set three, the Broncos took an early 6-3 lead. The teams would then resume trading points, but Western was able to maintain a consistent two to five point lead. Down 16-21, Schroeder and Hanks were able to keep the RedHawks in the set with kills, but the Broncos were able to close out the set with a 25-18 win.
In the deciding fourth set, Miami fell behind 3-7. The RedHawks pulled to within one at 7-8 off three kills from Schroeder, however the Broncos then went on a 9-3 run that gave them a 17-10 lead that Miami was unable to overcome. Western Michigan took the fourth set 25-16.
Schroeder led Miami with 15 kills. Atteberry had 45 assists, and Melissa Zenz led the team with 23 digs. The RedHawks hit .162 for the match, compared to the Broncos, which hit .269.
Miami returns to action next weekend with two important MAC East Division games. The RedHawks will host Kent State on Friday, October 3 at 7 p.m. They then welcome rival Ohio on Sunday, October 5 for a 3 p.m. matinee.
