YPSILANTI, Mich. – For the second consecutive match the Miami University volleyball team was able to take a straight set victory as it earned a 3-0 (25-22, 25-23, 28-26) win over Eastern Michigan Friday evening. The RedHawks improve to 11-8 overall and 4-3 in the Mid-American Conference. The Eagles fall to 11-10 overall and 2-5 in the MAC.
Miami used a balanced attack offensively to win the match on Friday. Five different players recorded at least six kills in the three sets. They were led by redshirt junior middle hitter Jenny Ingle, who finished with 11 kills. She made only three errors in 18 attempts for an attack percentage of .444.
A pair of kills by freshman outside hitter Olivia Rusek helped Miami open up a 5-2 lead to begin set one. The ‘Hawks maintained around a two or three point advantage throughout the middle portion of the set as senior right side hitter Sarah Chaney and Ingle each put down a couple more kills. After a service ace by sophomore outside hitter Maris Below gave MU its largest lead at 19-15, a 5-1 EMU run tied the score at 20. Tied at 21, a service error and back-to-back kills from junior outside hitter Annie Reiswig and Ingle gave the RedHawks set point. The Eagles fought it off once, but a kill from Reiswig off an assist from senior setter/right side hitter Meg Riley gave Miami a 25-22 win.
Riley recorded two kills, while Ingle had a kill and a block as the RedHawks began set two on an 8-3 run. The advantage did not last as Eastern Michigan answered with a 13-7 run that put it in front for the first time in the match at 16-15 and forced Miami to call timeout. Out of the break, Ingle recorded two straight kills, followed by one from Below that gave the Red and White the lead right back. The Eagles fought back to tie the score at 22, but a kill from sophomore middle hitter Paige Hill and an Eastern attack error created set point for Miami. After an EMU kill, a block by Ingle and Riley gave the ‘Hawks a 25-23 victory.
With Miami in front 10-9 in set three, a 5-0 run by Eastern Michigan gave it a 14-10 lead. Below, Reiswig, Chaney and Ingle each recorded kills, but the Eagles managed to hang onto the four-point advantage until it was 19-15. From there kills by Hill and Ingle started a 5-2 run that pulled the RedHawks to within one at 20-21. In front 22-21, EMU scored two straight to create set point for itself. Miami did not give up as Reiswig recorded a kill, and then the Eagles had two straight attack errors that tied the score up at 24. Eastern Michigan had two more opportunities to win the set, but each time Chaney put down the big kill to fight it off. Finally, tied at 26, a solo block by Hill gave Miami match point. Chaney came through again with one final kill to finish off the 28-26 win and give the RedHawks a 3-0 victory.
Hill recorded nine kills for Miami, while Chaney finished with eight and a .500 attack percentage. Rusek led the ‘Hawks with 14 digs, while sophomore setter Krista Brakauskas had a double-double of 19 assists and 10 digs. Riley led Miami with five block assists.
The RedHawks return to action on Saturday when they travel to Central Michigan for a 7:30 p.m. match.
