Miami Ohio University Athletics
Miami University
Stephen F. Austin
RedHawks Fall In Ladyjack Invitational Finale
9/19/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Sept. 19, 2009
NACOGDOCHES, Texas - It was one of the most evenly fought battles the Miami University volleyball team has had this season, but the RedHawks came up on the short end of a 1-3 result against the host Stephen F. Austin at the final game of the Ladyjack Invitational. Miami heads into Mid-American conference play with a 5-7 record, while the Ladyjacks are 11-5.
After the match, Michele Metzler and Megan Griffin were named to the All-Tournament team.
The first set was back-and-forth with six lead changes throughout. Neither team was able to establish a advantage of more than three points. With the score tied at 18, Stephen F. Austin went on a 5-2 lead to go up 23-20. A kill by Maria Leahy, followed by a Ladyjack attack error pulled the RedHawks to within one at 22-23. SFA scored the next point to create set point, but a kill from Griffin and another Ladyjack attack error tied the score at 24. The teams traded points as Miami fought off two more set points, but with the score 26-25, SFA took the set with a kill by Mary Caitlin Bottles.
Stephen F. Austin jumped to a 5-1 lead to begin set two. Miami responded with four straight points to tie the score at five. SFA pushed the lead back up to four at 9-5, but a 7-3 run by the RedHawks featuring two kills form Griffin, along with kills from Jenn Caylor and Leahy retied the score at 12. From there a 6-2 Ladyjack run proved to be decisive. Miami was able to get as close as one at 22-23, but SFA earned the victory by recording the final two points.
With the Ladyjacks leading set three 8-6, the RedHawks went on a 6-1 run to take a 14-9 lead. Stephen F. Austin answered with a 10-5 run of its own to tie the score at 19. Miami scored the next five points off a kill from Leahy, a service ace from Leahy, a setting error from SFA, a kill from Hallie Hanks and an attack error by the Ladyjacks to create set point at 24-19. Two points later, Caylor put down the kill off an Andrea Atteberry set to give the RedHawks a 25-20 set three victory.
With Miami in front 6-5 early in set four, Leahy recorded three kills to help extend the RedHawk advantage to 12-9. A 9-6 run by Stephen F. Austin tied the score at 18. After trading the next seven points, Hallie Hanks put a kill down to retie the set at 22. That would be the last point for Miami, as the Ladyjacks took the last three points to take the set 25-22 and the match 3-1.
Leahy recorded a double-double with a career-high tying 17 kills to go along with 14 digs. Griffin had 12 kills, hitting .345 for the match. Lisa Treadway recorded 22 digs, while Caylor had 14, which were career-highs for both players. The RedHawks hit .228 for the match, compared to .210 for Stephen F. Austin.
Miami opens MAC play at home Friday, Sept. 25 when they welcome Buffalo to Millett Hall for a 7 p.m. match. On Saturday, Sept. 26, Akron will come to Oxford for a 5 p.m. match.
