Miami University
4-3
Wichita State
6-0
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miami | 25 | 16 | 13 | 25 | 1 |
| Wichita State | 21 | 25 | 25 | 27 | 3 |
RedHawks Drop 1-3 Match to Wichita State
9/2/2017 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
INDIANAPOLIS -- Against another formidable opponent, the Miami University volleyball team battled but ultimately fell to Wichita State 1-3 (25-21, 16-25, 13-25, 25-27) to conclude play at the Hampton Inn Invitational. The RedHawks are now 4-3 on the season, while the Shockers improve to a perfect 6-0.
Sophomore middle hitter Margaret Payne and sophomore outside hitter Taylor Daignault were the stars for Miami. Payne finished with 15 kills and seven blocks (two solo and five assisted). She made only one error in 28 attempts for a .500 attack percentage. Daignault just missed a double-double, tying for the team lead with 15 kills, while also recording nine digs.
Payne and senior right side hitter Katie Coverdale helped Miami to a 6-4 advantage in set one. Wichita State rallied to take a 13-12 lead. Daignault put down a kill, but the Shockers scored three in a row to make it 16-13. Trailing 14-17, kills from Payne and Daignault, along with a block by Daignault were part of a 7-1 run that gave the RedHawks a 21-18 advantage. The teams traded side outs until it was 23-20. At that point a kill from Daignault off an assist from freshman setter Morgan Seaman and a kill from Payne gave Miami a 25-21 win.
Daignault and Payne each had a kill, followed by a Daignault service ace to give the `Hawks a 3-0 lead in set two. The Shockers scored the next three in a row, and then the teams split points until it was tied at nine. A 10-4 run by WSU put it in control at 19-13. Senior outside hitter Olivia Rusek, senior right side hitter Katie Tomasic and Daignault each had kills, but it was not enough as the Shockers took a 25-16 victory to even the match at one set apiece.
Miami scored the first two points of set three, but a 13-3 run gave Wichita State at 13-5 lead. Payne had two more kills, but the Red and White were unable to get back into the frame as the Shockers won, 25-13.
Trailing 9-12 in set four, kills from Daignault and Coverdale started a 6-2 run that gave the RedHawks a 15-14 advantage. Wichita State regained a 19-17 lead, but a kill from Payne and back-to-back blocks from Tomasic put Miami on top once again. Tied at 22, a kill from Daignault and a service ace from Seaman gave the `Hawks set point at 24-22. The Shockers fought it off with three straight points of their own to get match point, but a kill from Daignault tied the score at 25. WSU answered with two straight to take a 27-25 victory and a 3-1 win in the match.
"Wichita overpowered us on offense after our solid overall performance in set one," said head coach Carolyn Condit. "Despite this we had several opportunities to win set four. The caliber of this tournament and its challenges have taught us some valuable lessons and helped our athletes gain much needed experience on both sides of the ball."
Coverdale finished with six points, while Kukoc and Tomasic each had five. Miami held a 10-8 advantage in blocks. Redshirt junior Mackenzie Zielinski led the RedHawks with 25 assists, while senior libero Maeve McDonald recorded 17 digs.
Miami returns to action on Tuesday when it hosts Dayton at 7 p.m. That match will be broadcast live on ESPN3.
