ATHENS, Ohio – The Miami University volleyball team won the first two sets of the 2014 Mid-American Conference Championship match, but Western Michigan rallied to take the final three sets as the RedHawks fell, 2-3 (25-21, 25-17, 13-25, 16-25, 13-15). Miami concludes its season at 21-10, while the Broncos earn the MAC’s automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament and improve to 22-13.

At the conclusion of the tournament, senior setter/right side hitter Meg Riley and senior right side hitter Sarah Chaney were each named to the All-Tournament Team. In her final match, Riley recorded her 16th career triple-double, recording 19 kills, 25 assists and 11 digs. Chaney had 10 kills on the night and attacked at a .450 percentage.

Kills from junior outside hitter Annie Reiswig and sophomore middle hitter Paige Hill helped the RedHawks jump to a 4-2 lead to begin set one. The Broncos fought back to tie the score at seven, but back-to-back kills from redshirt junior middle hitter Jenny Ingle and Chaney gave Miami a 9-7 advantage. The teams traded several side outs until a kill from freshman outside hitter Olivia Rusek made it 16-14. After a WMU point, a 4-0 run from the ‘Hawks put it in control at 20-16. The Broncos closed to within two at 21-23, but back-to-back kills from Chaney and Ingle gave Miami a 25-21 victory.

Kills from Rusek and Riley, along with a block by Riley and Hill put the RedHawks up 3-0 in set two. With the score tied at four, a 9-3 run from Miami gave it a 13-7 advantage. Chaney and Rusek each put down kills, while sophomore setter Krista Brakauskas’ service ace helped make it 17-9. Western Michigan was able to get as close as five points at 15-20, but kills from Chaney, Ingle and Rusek were part of a 4-0 run that made it set point. WMU fought it off twice, but a Bronco attack error finished off a 25-17 win for Miami.

Set three seemingly looked like it was starting well as kills from Riley and Hill put Miami up 2-1. However, Western Michigan quickly put the score out of reach with a 15-2 run that gave it a 16-4 lead. Kills from Chaney and Riley, along with a service ace by Brakauskas helped the ‘Hawks get a little closer, but the deficit was too much to overcome as WMU took a 25-13 win. The Broncos attacked at a .519 percentage during the set.

With the score tied at four in set four a 4-1 run by Western Michigan put it in front, 8-5. Hill recorded two kills to help Miami pull closer at 9-10, but the Broncos quickly pushed the advantage back to five at 16-11. With WMU in front, 17-13, a 6-0 run put the score out of reach. Rusek had a block and a kill, but the Broncos finished off a 25-16 win to send the match to fifth and final set.

Kills from Rusek, Hill and Riley helped Miami take a 3-1 lead to begin the finale. Western Michigan answered with a 7-2 run to take an 8-5 lead when the teams switched ends. The teams traded side outs until it 11-8. The RedHawks did not give up as two kills from Hill pulled them to within one. WMU got the lead back to two at 13-11, but a kill from Riley and a block by Riley and Ingle tied the score. The Broncos scored on the next point to get first opportunity at match point, and after a good rally scored the final point to take a 15-13 win and complete the 3-2 win.

Hill joined Riley and Chaney in double-figure kills with 11. She also had five blocks (one solo and four assisted). Brakauskas had a double-double with 29 assists and 14 digs.

This concludes a remarkable 2014 season that saw the RedHawks return to the MAC Tournament for the first time since 2011 and advance all the way to the final for the first time since 2007. Riley, Chaney and senior defensive specialist Tori Clifford leave Miami having led the ‘Hawks to 21 wins, the most since the 2008 season.