Miami University
UAB
RedHawks Sweep UAB at Miami Invitational
9/20/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
OXFORD, Ohio – The Miami University volleyball team continued its strong play at the annual Miami Invitational on Saturday with a 3-0 (31-29, 25-20, 25-18) victory over UAB. The RedHawks have now won 10 straight matches at their home tournament over the past four seasons. Miami improves to 7-4 on the season, while the Blazers fall to 3-10.
Freshman outside hitter Olivia Rusek led the way offensively for the RedHawks, finishing with 10 kills. Senior setter/right side hitter Meg Riley had another double-double, finishing with 24 assists and a team-leading 15 digs. She also recorded seven kills and assisted on five blocks.
The RedHawks started out slow as they fell behind 5-9 in set one. Sophomore middle hitter Paige Hill and Rusek each recorded kills, but the Blazers eventually increased the advantage to 15-9. Kills by Hill, Riley and Rusek began the Miami comeback as it went on a 9-3 run to tie the score at 18. UAB fought back with its own 4-2 run to go back ahead by a 22-20 score. A kill from Riley and a block by redshirt junior middle hitter Jenny Ingle tied the score at 22. After a Blazer point, Riley put down two straight kills to create set point. UAB was able to fight it off and get a set point of their own, but an Ingle kill retied the score at 25. The Blazers got one more try at winning the set, while the ‘Hawks got two, but neither team could string the two points in a row needed. Finally tied at 29, a kill from Riley off of an assist from sophomore setter Krista Brakauskas and a block by Riley and Hill finished off a 31-29 Miami win.
Trailing 9-10 in set two, two straight blocks from Hill and Riley tipped control of the set in the RedHawks’ favor. Service aces by Hill and Riley, along with two kills from Ingle helped Miami build a 17-12 advantage. The Blazers did not give up as they reeled off six straight points to go ahead, 18-17. The Red and White immediately answered with a Rusek kill to retie the score. Junior outside hitter Annie Reiswig followed with three straight kills to put Miami ahead to stay. The RedHawks finished off a 25-20 victory with a block by Riley and Hill.
Tied at five in set three, a kill from senior right side hitter Sarah Chaney and service aces by Rusek and freshman libero Maeve McDonald were part of a 7-1 run that gave MU a 12-6 lead. UAB closed to within two at 12-14, but a pair of kills from Hill helped the ‘Hawks regain control. In front 20-16, two kills from Reiswig along with a kill from Chaney were part of a 3-1 run that put Miami ahead, 23-17. The RedHawks finished off the straight-set win with a kill by Hill to give them a 25-18 victory.
Reiswig had eight kills for the Red and White. Hill recorded seven while assisting on a season-high seven blocks. McDonald had 12 digs and two service aces.
Miami will host Ohio State at 7 p.m. in the championship match of the Miami Invitational.
