BUFFALO, N.Y. – The Miami University volleyball team built leads in each set, but each time Buffalo was able to come from behind as the RedHawks fell 0-3 (18-25, 24-26, 20-25) Saturday evening. The RedHawks fall to 8-6 overall and 1-1 in the Mid-American Conference. The Bulls improve to 12-4 overall and 2-0 in the MAC.
Two kills from freshman outside hitter Olivia Rusek, along with kills from senior setter/right side hitter Meg Riley and redshirt junior middle hitter Jenny Ingle gave Miami a 4-0 lead to begin set one. After a Buffalo point, a kill from Ingle followed by a block from Riley and sophomore middle hitter Paige Hill gave the ‘Hawks their largest lead at 6-1. UB responded with a 10-4 run to take the advantage at 11-10, but a block from Ingle and a Bull attack error gave MU the lead back. Buffalo took control with an 11-5 run that put it in front, 22-16. Junior outside hitter Annie Reiswig recorded a kill and a block, but UB finished off a 25-18 win.
A pair of kills from Rusek helped Miami to a 7-5 advantage in set two. The teams mostly traded points until a kill by the Bulls pulled it to within one at 12-13. Three kills from Rusek and service aces by Riley and sophomore setter Krista Brakauskas were part of a 9-4 run that put the RedHawks in front, 22-15. Buffalo did not give up as it scored the next five points to pull within two. A kill by Ingle stopped the bleeding, but UB scored three in a row to tie the score at 23. An attack error gave Miami set point, but the Bulls answered with three straight points to fight it off and earn a come-from-behind 26-24 victory.
Kills from Riley, Rusek and senior right side hitter Sarah Chaney were part of a 6-3 start for the RedHawks in set three. Buffalo came back to score five straight points to take the lead back at 8-6. Miami fought on with kills from Riley and Chaney leading a 5-3 run that tied the score at 11. The teams traded points until the score was tied at 18. From there five straight points by UB put it in control at 23-18. Ingle and Rusek recorded final kills, but the Bulls were able to finish off a 25-20 win to take the match in straight sets.
Rusek led Miami with 11 kills, while Ingle finished with eight. Riley had a double-double with 17 assists and 12 digs, while Brakauskas had a double-double with 14 assists and 10 digs. Freshman libero Maeve McDonald led the RedHawks with 14 digs. Buffalo used 13 blocks to help lead it to victory.
Miami returns to action next Thursday when it travels to Bowling Green for a 7 p.m. match.
