Miami Ohio University Athletics
Miami University
Illinois
Miami Falls to Eighth-Ranked Illinois at Illini Classic
8/29/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- The Miami University volleyball team ran into a national title contender in eighth-ranked Illinois on Saturday, and the Illini came away with a 3-0 (25-11, 25-18, 25-22) victory at the Illini Classic this morning. The RedHawks fall to 0-2 on the season, while Illinois improves to 2-0.
Senior outside hitter Annie Reiswig and sophomore right side hitter Katie Tomasic led the Miami offense Saturday morning. Reiswig had a team-high eight kills, while Tomasic finished with seven and a team-leading .357 attack percentage.
Tomasic recorded two kills, including the opening point of the match, but Illinois came out firing to begin set one, quickly building a 12-3 lead. Tomasic had another kill plus a service ace, but the Illini hit .600 for the set and pulled away to take a 25-11 win.
Junior middle hitter Paige Hill, junior outside hitter Maris Below and Reiswig each recorded kills to help Miami open the second set with a 3-2 advantage. Illinois continued to attack at a high percentage, but Reiswig kept the `Hawks in the set with three kills that kept MU within three points at 6-9. A kill from Below pulled Miami within two at 8-10, but the Illini followed with a 5-1 run to push their advantage to six. The RedHawks did not give up as a kill from Hill off an assist from junior setter Krista Brakauskas, a service ace by Tomasic and a block from Hill and Reiswig left them trailing only 12-15. Two more kills by Reiswig kept it a three-point match at 15-18. Illinois finally took control with a 4-1 run that made it 22-16. Tomasic and Below recorded one more kill apiece, but the Illini were able to finish off a 25-18 victory.
Miami opened up set three by scoring the first two points. Illinois responded with three straight, but the RedHawks kept themselves in it throughout the first portion of the set. Tied at nine, the Illini went on a 6-1 run to take a 15-10 lead and force a Miami timeout. Despite kills from Tomasic and Hill, Illinois eventually expanded the advantage to seven at 19-12. The RedHawks fought back by forcing the Illini into several attack errors. A 7-3 run punctuated by a block from Hill and freshman right side hitter Stela Kukoc closed Miami to within three at 19-22. A kill from senior middle hitter Jenny Ingle off an assist from freshman setter Mackenzie Zielinski made it 21-23 and forced Illinois to call timeout. Out of the break, Below was able to record one final kill, but the teams trade sideouts and Illinois took a 25-22 victory to allow it to win the match in straight sets.
Hill recorded six kills, while Below had five. Brakauskas led Miami with 13 assists, while Below had nine digs. Illinois hit .414 for the match and were led by All-American Jocelynn Birks with 16 kills.
The RedHawks complete play at the Illini Classic later Saturday when they take on Louisville at 5:30 p.m. (EDT).
