Miami University
21-8, 13-3MAC
Akron
6-23, 2-14MAC
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miami | 26 | 25 | 25 | 3 |
| Akron | 24 | 23 | 22 | 0 |
Volleyball Earns Second Straight MAC Championship
11/11/2017 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
AKRON, Ohio -- The Miami University volleyball team earned its second straight Mid-American Conference regular season championship with a 3-0 (26-24, 25-23, 25-22) victory over Akron on Saturday. The RedHawks conclude the regular season at 21-8 overall and 13-3 in the MAC. The Zips finish 6-23 overall and 2-14 in the MAC.
While Bowling Green still could earn a share of the regular season title later Saturday with a victory, Miami will be the number one seed in next weekend's MAC Tournament thanks to the tiebreakers. That also means that the 2018 MAC Tournament will return to Oxford next season after the RedHawks host the event this year.
Senior right side hitter Katie Tomasic and senior outside hitter Olivia Rusek led the Miami offense in the victory over a very game Akron squad. Each recorded 12 kills, with Tomasic leading the way with a .385 attack percentage.
Freshman setter Morgan Seaman continued to step it up in absence of redshirt junior setter Mackenzie Zielinski. She finished with 37 assists and just missed a double-double with eight digs. She has now been Miami's starting setter in a 5-1 system in eight of the RedHawks' 16 MAC matches this season.
"It is difficult to repeat a MAC Championship," said head coach Carolyn Condit. "Chuck (Rey), Brian (Netzler) and I are beyond proud of this team and the gritty performances Morgan turned out this weekend following Mackenzie's injury. It was a total team effort with our seniors providing the experience that produced the big plays to repeat as champions."
Trailing 4-6 in set one, two kills from sophomore middle hitter Taylor Daignault and one from Rusek started a 4-0 run that put Miami on top 8-6. Senior middle hitter Meredith Stutz had a kill, while Tomasic had two of her own to help the RedHawks maintain the small advantage. Akron was able to string three points in a row to go in front, 15-14. The Zips eventually increased the lead to two at 20-18. A service error, followed by an ace and a kill from Rusek put Miami back in the lead. Akron retied the score at 23, but a kill from Tomasic gave MU set point. The Zips fought it off, but back-to-back kills from sophomore middle hitter Margaret Payne and Rusek gave the `Hawks a 26-24 victory.
Trailing 3-4 in set two, two kills from Daignault started a 7-2 run that put Miami on top, 10-6. Akron closed to within one at 10-11, before a kill from sophomore outside hitter Abigail Huser got the RedHawks offense moving again. After the Zips tied the score at 14, the teams traded side outs until a kill from Stutz tied it at 19. A block by Rusek and two kills from Tomasic were part of a 5-0 run that gave Miami set point at 24-19. Akron did not give up, scoring four in a row to force a `Hawks timeout. Out of the break, Rusek and Tomasic teamed up for a block to give MU a 25-23 win.
Two kills from Tomasic and one each from Stutz, Seaman, Payne and junior outside hitter Stela Kukoc helped the RedHawks push to an 8-3 advantage to begin set three. The Zips answered with a 7-2 run to tie the score at 10. Stutz followed with two blocks as part of a 5-0 stretch that put Miami on top, 15-10 and forced an Akron timeout. Out of the break, the Zips eventually were able to tie the score at 17 before kills by Tomasic and Payne put the Red and White on top for good. Leading 22-21, back-to-back kills by Stutz and Tomasic gave Miami match point. Akron fought it off once, but a final kill from Rusek finished off a 25-22 victory and gave the `Hawks the MAC Championship in straight sets.
Stutz had six kills and three blocks for Miami. Seaman had 37 assists and just missed a double-double with eight digs. Senior libero Maeve McDonald led the RedHawks with 19 digs.
Miami has earned a bye directly to the MAC Semifinals in next week's MAC Tournament. The RedHawks will be in action on Saturday at either 4:30 or 7 p.m. The MAC Tournament begins Thursday inside Millett Hall. Check with MiamiRedHawks.com later Saturday for more information on the tournament.
