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OXFORD, Ohio -- Several strong performances helped the Miami University volleyball team overcome dropping the first set in a 3-1 (22-25, 25-15, 25-18, 25-18) win over Akron Friday evening. With their third straight victory, the RedHawks improve to 12-7 overall and 4-2 in the Mid-American Conference. The Zips fall to 6-11 overall and 2-3 in the MAC.

"I'm really pleased with the team effort tonight," said head coach Carolyn Condit. "I thought we had more energy, more direction and more focus than last night earlier in the match and we sustained it longer as well. I'm proud of how we played."

Senior outside hitter Olivia Rusek had one of her best all-around matches of the season, finishing with a double-double of 15 kills and 11 digs. Sophomore middle hitter Margaret Payne recorded a team-high 16 kills. She had only three errors in 33 attempts for a .394 attack percentage.

Miami came out swinging in set one as Rusek, senior right side hitter Katie Tomasic and sophomore outside hitter Taylor Daignault had two kills each to help the `Hawks build a 10-3 lead. Akron followed with a 9-2 run to close to within one at 11-12. Payne answered with a kill, while senior libero Maeve McDonald had a service ace to extend the advantage back to three, but the Zips went on an 11-4 run to take control at 22-18. Payne and senior middle hitter Margaret Payne each had kills, but Akron was able to finish off a 25-22 win.

Tied at five in set two, Rusek, Daignault and Tomasic each had kills off assists from sophomore setter Morgan Seaman to put Miami ahead. The Zips answered with a 7-3 run to take a 12-11 lead, but the RedHawks took control from there. Kills from Rusek, Tomasic and Stutz, along with a service ace by Seaman were part of a 9-1 run that gave MU a 20-13 advantage. Akron got a couple of side outs, but a solo block from Stutz, two kills from Tomasic, a service ace by Stutz and a kill from Payne finished off a 25-15 victory. The Red and White close the set out on a 14-3 run.

Trailing 4-6 in set three, Daignault got Miami's offense going with a kill. Stutz then tied the score with a service ace. After Payne put down a kill, Stutz recorded an incredible three service aces in a row to give the RedHawks a 10-6 advantage. Payne helped keep the pressure on Akron with three more kills as the `Hawks expanded lead to 14-9. Akron answered with a 6-3 run to pull within two at 15-17 and force a Miami timeout. Out of the break, Daignault and Rusek had two kills apiece to lead the Red and White on a 7-1 rally that gave it set point at 24-16. The Zips fought it off twice, but a kill by Payne finished off a 25-18 win.

Rusek had two kills, while Daignault had a service ace as Miami scored the first six points of set four. Akron answered with the next four, before the teams started trading side outs. A block by Daignault and Payne forced the Zips to call timeout at 11-7. Leading 13-10, a block from Daignault began an 8-3 run that put the RedHawks in control at 21-13. A kill from Stutz and a pair of Akron attack errors gave Miami match point at 24-14. The Zips made it interesting by scoring four in a row, but a kill from Tomasic gave the RedHawks a 25-18 win and a 3-1 victory in the match.

Tomasic had 10 kills for Miami, while Stutz and Daignault each had eight. Stutz also had seven blocks (one solo and six assisted) and five service aces to lead the `Hawks. Seaman finished with 50 assists, while McDonald had a team-high 27 digs.

The RedHawks return to action next Friday, Oct. 13 when they host Central Michigan at 7 p.m. That match will air live on ESPN3.