EAST LANSING, Mich. -- The Miami University volleyball team dropped a 1-3 (18-25, 25-22, 23-25, 16-25) decision to Virginia Tech on Friday morning to begin play at the Spartan Invitational. The RedHawks fall to 1-4 on the season, while the Hokies improve their record to 4-0.

The `Hawks battled back and forth with VT throughout the match, with the difference coming when the Hokies were able to score a come-from-behind victory in set three. Miami was led by junior middle hitter Paige Hill, who recorded 10 kills and four blocks in the match.

Junior outside hitter Maris Below opened the match with a kill, while two kills from senior outside hitter Annie Reiswig helped the RedHawks to an 8-6 lead to begin set one. Virginia Tech answered with an 8-2 run to take a 14-10 lead and force a Miami timeout. Out of the break, sophomore right side hitter Katie Tomasic got the `Hawks closer with a kill and a service ace, but a 6-2 run by VT put it in control at 20-14. Hill would record one more kill, but the Hokies went on to win the first set, 25-18.

A pair of kills from sophomore outside hitter Olivia Rusek were part of building a 7-4 advantage in set two. Reiswig also recorded two kills as Miami maintained the lead at 13-9. Virginia Tech scored the next point, but two more kills from Rusek sparked a 5-2 run that put the RedHawks in control at 18-12. Leading 18-14, a kill by Reiswig, a Hokie attack error and a service ace by sophomore setter Krista Brakauskas made it 21-14. VT answered with a 7-2 run to pull within two at 21-23, but Rusek answered with a crucial kill to make it set point. Miami then won the set, 25-22, when senior middle hitter Jenny Ingle and sophomore middle/right side hitter Meredith Stutz teamed up for a block.

Tied at five in set three, a kill from Below off an assist by freshman setter Mackenzie Zielinski, and two straight service aces by Rusek put the Red and White on top. Leading 13-10, Hill put down a kill and then recorded two straight blocks to give Miami its largest lead of the set at 16-10. Virginia Tech closed to within three at 14-17, but a kill from Ingle helped push the advantage back to five. After back-to-back kills from Tomasic and Hill, the RedHawks led 22-18. The Hokies scored the next two points, but a kill from Hill made it 23-20. VT then answered by scoring the next five points in a row to steal a 25-23 win and take a 2-1 lead in the match.

Virginia Tech used the momentum of the end of the third set to take control of the fourth set, quickly jumping to a 15-6 advantage. Stutz recorded two kills, while Tomasic and Reiswig each put down one as the RedHawks were able to cut the lead down to six at 15-21. However, Miami was unable to get any closer as it fell 25-16, giving the Hokies a 3-1 win.

Rusek and Reiswig finished with eight kills apiece. Brakauskas led Miami with 22 assists, while sophomore libero Maeve McDonald recorded 11 digs. Virginia Tech recorded 15 blocks in the match and was led by Amanda McKinzie with 20 kills.

The RedHawks continue play at the Spartan Invitational later Friday when they take on Butler at 4:30 p.m.