Box Score

ATHENS, Ohio -- The match between the Miami University volleyball team and its rival Ohio went back-and-forth throughout, but the RedHawks ultimately came up two points short as they fell 2-3 (25-21, 22-25, 16-25, 25-17, 13-15) Friday evening. Miami is now 9-7 overall and 1-2 in the Mid-American Conference. The Bobcats are 8-9 overall and 2-1 in the MAC.

Senior right side hitter Katie Tomasic led the RedHawk offense with 15 kills and four blocks in the match. Senior outside hitter Olivia Rusek had a double-double with 13 kills and an impressive 16 digs. Sophomore middle hitter Margaret Payne recorded 12 kills.

"The match could have gone either way tonight," said head coach Carolyn Condit. "We kept it close, but missed key opportunities to sustain and build on leads. Olivia (Rusek) and Katie (Tomasic) led the charge tonight as seniors."

Two kills and a block from Tomasic were part of a 6-3 start for Miami to begin set one. Ohio answered with a 10-5 run that put it on top, 13-11. Trailing 13-15, back-to-back kills from senior middle hitter Meredith Stutz and Rusek started a string of six straight points for the Red and White that put it in control. The Bobcats continued to battle, eventually pulling to within two at 20-22. Tomasic put down another kill to get Miami moving again, while a kill from freshman setter Morgan Seaman and an Ohio attack error gave the RedHawks a 25-21 win.

The Bobcats built an early 8-4 lead to begin set two and force a Miami timeout. The RedHawks were unable to cut into the advantage as Ohio eventually pushed it to six at 15-9. Junior outside hitter Stela Kukoc, Rusek and Seaman each recorded kills, but the Bobcats eventually got it to 23-16. MU did not give up as Rusek put down a kill and a service ace. Tomasic followed with back-to-back kills that made it 20-23. After OU scored to get set point, the `Hawks fought it off once with a block by Tomasic and Payne. The Bobcats answered with the side out to take a 25-22 victory and tie the match at one set apiece.

Despite a pair of kills from senior right side hitter Katie Coverdale, the RedHawks found themselves behind 7-11 in set three. A 4-1 run by Miami pulled it to within one at 11-12, but Ohio answered with a 7-2 run of its own to make it 19-13 and force a `Hawk timeout. Out of the break, Payne put down a kill, but Miami was unable to get its offense moving again. The Bobcats closed out a 25-16 win to take the lead in the match.

Set four was looking bleak for the Red and White as Ohio stormed to a 13-10 advantage. A service error by the Bobcats seem to completely change momentum around. Tomasic had back-to-back kills to help Miami go in front, 16-14. Payne put down two more kills, while sophomore outside hitter Taylor Daignault had a block to keep the RedHawk rally going. A kill from Payne gave Miami set point at 24-15. Ohio fought it off twice, but another kill from Payne off an assist from Seaman finished off a 25-17 victory and set the match to a deciding fifth set.

Rusek scored first for Miami in set five, but Ohio took five of the next seven points to build a 5-3 lead. The RedHawks fought back with a 4-1 run to take the lead back at 7-6. The Bobcats answered with a 4-1 run to make it 10-8 and force a Miami timeout. Out of the break, Rusek put down a kill and OU had an attack error to tie the score at 10. Tied at 11, another Bobcat attack error put Miami ahead. The teams traded side outs as a kill from Tomasic gave the RedHawks a 13-12 advantage. Unfortunately a service error and two attack errors gave three straight points to Ohio as it took a 15-13 win and a 3-2 victory in the match.

Serving as the lone setter once again, Seaman finished with 40 assists and just missed a double-double with nine digs. Senior libero Maeve McDonald led the RedHawk defense with 21 digs. Miami was able to hold Ohio to a .076 attack percentage, but was hurt by 33 attack errors as it hit .097.

The RedHawks look to get back on the winning track as they travel to Kent State Saturday. The 7 p.m. match will air live on ESPN3.