OXFORD, Ohio - The Miami University volleyball team fell to a hot-hitting Ohio squad on Saturday, 0-3 (23-25, 11-25, 17-25). The RedHawks are now 5-10 on the season and 0-2 in the Mid-American Conference. The Bobcats improve to 6-8 overall and 1-1 in the MAC.
Set one was a back-and-forth battle that saw the teams continuously record side outs and share the lead. Jenny Ingle recorded two kills, while Madison Dodd, Sarah Chaney and Meg Riley also put down kills of their own as Miami took an 8-7 advantage. Tied at 10, a service error and a kill by Chelsea Visk would give the 'Hawks a 12-10 lead. Ohio would eventually retie the score at 15, but an attack error, followed by a block from Ingle and Riley and a service ace from Amy Kendall would give Miami its largest lead at 18-15. A 3-0 run from the Bobcats tied the score at 18, but Kayleigh Cox gave the Red and White the lead right back with a kill off of Kendall's assist. Tied at 20, Ohio scored three straight points to force a RedHawk timeout. Out of the break, Menche had a kill and Treadway had a solo block to pull Miami to within one. The Bobcats scored the next point to create set point. Menche was able to fight it off with a kill, but Ohio put down the next attack to earn a 25-23 win.
The Bobcats took advantage of the momentum created from their come-from-behind victory to jump to a 15-3 lead in set two. Annie Reiswig and Riley would put down kills during the frame, but that large of an advantage proved to be insurmountable as Ohio would go on to win, 25-11.
Set three looked to start off similarly as the Bobcats took the first three points, but kills from Chaney and Menche, as well as two blocks assisted by Menche would help Miami tie the score at seven. From there, an 8-3 run would give Ohio control of the set at 15-10. Madison Hardy and Menche recorded kills to pull the RedHawks to within three, but a 7-1 run would put the Bobcats up, 20-13. That proved to be enough as they went on to take a 25-17 victory and a straight-set win.
Hardy had a strong game defensively, recording 20 digs. Kendall had a double-double with 11 assists and 11 digs. Chaney and Menche led Miami with six kills apiece.
Miami hits the road for a pair of MAC contests next weekend. The RedHawks will be in Buffalo Friday for a 7 p.m. match. They then will head to Akron Saturday for a match at 5 p.m.
