Miami Ohio University Athletics
Miami University
6-4
South Carolina
5-3
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miami | 21 | 25 | 15 | 25 | 15 | 3 |
| South Carolina | 25 | 20 | 25 | 22 | 11 | 2 |
Volleyball Takes Down South Carolina, 3-2
9/8/2017 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
COLUMBIA, S.C. ÃÆ'Æ'¢ÃÆ'¢'¬" For the third time in two seasons, the Miami University volleyball team knocked off a team from the Southeastern Conference as it came from behind to defeat South Carolina (21-25, 25-20, 15-25, 25-22, 15-11) at the Carolina Classic Friday evening. The RedHawks improve to 6-4 on the season, while the Gamecocks fall to 5-3.
"The team learned from the Dayton match and proved more consistency tonight in a pressure packed arena," said head coach Carolyn Condit. "I am proud of their efforts and the number of team members who contributed to the win."
Sophomore middle hitter Margaret Payne and junior outside hitter Stela Kukoc led the Miami offense with 11 kills each. Payne made only two attack errors in 20 attempts for an attack percentage of .450. Senior libero Maeve McDonald led the RedHawk defense with 25 digs.
South Carolina built an early 11-6 lead in set one. Kills from redshirt junior setter Mackenzie Zielinski, senior right side hitter Katie Coverdale and Payne helped Miami pull within two at 10-12. That run would be short lived as the Gamecocks eventually pushed the advantage back to five at 17-12. A kill from Kukoc got the lead down to three at 16-19, but that was as close as the Red and White would get as USC took a 25-21 win.
A strong start featuring two kills each from senior right side hitter Katie Tomasic and junior middle hitter Courtney Simons got the RedHawks off to a 9-5 start in set two and forced an early South Carolina timeout. Coverdale had a kill, while both McDonald and senior outside hitter Olivia Rusek had service aces as Miami went on an 8-3 run to create its largest lead at 17-8. The Gamecocks did not give up as they answered with a 10-4 run that pulled them to within three at 18-21. Payne and Kukoc made sure that they would not get any closer as they put down kills to finish off a 25-20 victory.
Kukoc had two kills as Miami built a 5-3 advantage in set three. A 9-4 run by USC put them on top 12-9 and forced a RedHawk timeout. Out of the break a kill from Coverdale and a Gamecock attack error pulled MU to within one. The teams traded side outs until a kill from Tomasic again closed the deficit to one at 14-15. At that point South Carolina used five services as part of a 10-1 run to take a 25-15 victory and a 2-1 lead in the match.
Tied at 10 in set four, back-to-back kills from Payne and Rusek, followed by a kill from Kukoc gave Miami a 13-10 lead. The Gamecocks answered by scoring five of the next six points to go in front, 15-14. A kill from Rusek and a block by sophomore middle hitter Haley Stewart put the 'Hawks on top once again. Tied at 19, back-to-back kills from Kukoc and Payne finally gave Miami some breathing room. South Carolina was able to close to within one at 22-23, but a kill and a service ace from Coverdale finished off a 25-22 win and set the match to a decisive fifth set.
South Carolina opened up a 5-3 lead to begin set five. A block by Stewart and Kukoc, followed by a service ace from McDonald tied the score. Tied at eight, Payne put down two straight kills to make it 10-8 and force a Gamecock timeout. The teams traded side outs with Tomasic making sure to put down a couple of kills off of South Carolina serves. With Miami in front, 12-11, Rusek got the side out kill to put the RedHawks up two again. McDonald then followed with back-to-back service aces to close out a 15-11 win and a 3-2 victory in the match.
Tomasic and Rusek finished with nine kills each for Miami, while Coverdale had eight. Zielinski led the 'Hawks with 24 assists.
Miami used a season-high 13 service aces to aid in the victory on Friday. McDonald led the way with four, while Rusek and freshman setter Morgan Seaman each had three. Coverdale contributed two and Kukoc had one.
The RedHawks have clinched the tournament championship at the Carolina Classic, but will look to finish the event undefeated when they take on Eastern Kentucky on Saturday at 11 a.m.
