PEORIA, Ill. – In a match that saw a combined 216 digs between the two teams, the Miami University volleyball team fell to UMKC 1-3 (20-25, 29-31, 25-16, 18-25) to complete play at the CEFCU Invitational. The RedHawks fall to 5-4 on the season, while the Kangaroos win the tournament championship and improve to 7-2.
As a team, Miami finished with 110 digs, the most since it had 128 against Eastern Michigan on Oct. 17, 2013. The ‘Hawks were led by freshman libero Maeve McDonald, who had a career-high 33. Senior outside hitter/libero Meg Riley also had a career-high with 24 digs. She added 26 assists to make it a double-double. At the end of the event, both McDonald and Riley earned spots on the All-Tournament Team.
Kills from Riley, redshirt junior middle hitter Jenny Ingle, junior outside hitter Annie Reiswig and freshman outside hitter Olivia Rusek helped lead Miami to an 8-6 lead to begin set one. Kansas City rallied to tie the score at nine, but two UMKC attack errors and a block by sophomore middle hitter Paige Hill and Reiswig gave the ‘Hawks a 12-9 advantage. The ‘Roos followed with an 8-2 run that put them in front 17-14, but an attack error and kills from Riley, Ingle and Rusek put Miami on top once again. The RedHawk attack went cold from there, as UMKC finished on an 8-3 run to take a 25-20 win.
Two blocks from Ingle helped lead Miami to a 6-2 advantage to begin set two. The Kangaroos scored the next two, but kills from sophomore outside hitter Maris Below and Hill and a block by Riley and Hill increased the lead to 10-4. Rusek and Reiswig each had a pair of kills, but Kansas City eventually was able to tie the score at 18. From there the teams traded the lead six times with neither team taking more than a one point lead. With the score tied at 24, Miami would get four chances at set point, but each time UMKC fought it off. Tied at 29, the ‘Roos scored two straight to take a marathon, 31-29, victory.
Rusek put down three kills as Miami opened up a 10-3 lead in set three. Reiswig put down two kills, while Rusek followed with two more as the ‘Hawks increased the advantage to 19-10. UMKC closed to within 14-22, but a service ace by Hill started Miami’s final run. Two kills by Ingle finished off a 25-16 win for the RedHawks.
Tied at seven in set four, a 9-2 run by the Kangaroos put them in control at 16-9. Three kills from Rusek and two kills by Riley were part of a 7-2 rally that pulled Miami to within two at 16-18. Despite two more kills from Hill, that was as close as the RedHawks could get as Kansas City finished off a 25-18 victory and a 3-1 win in the match.
Rusek led Miami with 15 kills, while Reiswig finished with 11. Riley just missed her second straight triple-double with nine kills. Sophomore setter Krista Brakauskas recorded a double-double with 23 assists and 10 digs.
The RedHawks begin their home schedule next weekend when they host their annual Miami Invitational. On Friday, the Red and White take on IUPUI at 7 p.m. On Saturday, Miami faces UAB at noon and Ohio State at 7 p.m.
