MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. – The Miami University volleyball team completed the first half of Mid-American Conference play with a solid 3-1 (28-26, 25-16, 20-25, 25-20) victory over Central Michigan Saturday evening. With their fifth straight win, the RedHawks improve to 15-5 overall and 7-1 in the MAC. The Chippewas fall to 3-17 overall and 0-8 in the MAC.

The middle hitters led the Miami attack in the victory. Junior middle hitter Margaret Payne had a huge night with 17 kills and four blocks. She made only three errors in 31 attempts for a .452 attack percentage. Freshman middle hitter Corinne Jemison contributed 12 kills and three blocks (two solo) and had a .333 attack percentage.

Set one remained tight throughout as neither team could build a lead of more than two points throughout the entirety of the frame. Payne and Jemison each had a pair of kills, while a block from Jemison gave the RedHawks a 16-15 advantage. The teams traded side outs until three straight points for the Chippewas gave them a 23-21 lead. After another trade of side outs, CMU had set point at 24-22. A service error, followed by a kill from freshman outside hitter Gaby Harper off an assist from freshman setter Jennifer Schulze fought it off and tied the score at 24. Tied at 26, a Central Michigan service error followed by a service ace by sophomore setter Morgan Seaman gave Miami a hard-fought 28-26 win.

Kills from Harper and Payne, along with a service ace by senior right side hitter Stela Kukoc were part of a 6-1 start to begin set two. Jemison had two more kills, while junior outside hitter Taylor Daignault had two of her own to help expand the advantage to six at 16-10. The teams traded side outs until back-to-back kills from Seaman and Payne gave the RedHawks their largest lead at 22-14. That proved to be more than enough as Payne finished off a 25-16 victory with back-to-back kills.

Miami fell behind 3-9 in set three, forcing an early timeout. Two service aces by sophomore libero Abigail Huser, along with kills from sophomore right side hitter Sarah Wojick and Kukoc were part of a 5-2 run that cut the deficit to three at 8-11, but a 5-1 answer by Central Michigan gave it a 16-9 advantage. A kill and a block from Payne, along with a service ace by Kukoc sparked five straight points for the 'Hawks to pull within two at 14-16. The Chippewas responded with a 5-1 run to take control at 21-15. MU could get no closer as CMU took a 25-20 win.

Tied at eight in set four, the Chippewas went on a 5-1 run to take a 13-9 lead. A kill by Payne and a service ace from Harper sparked a 5-0 answer that put Miami back on top. Payne had two more kills, while kills from Daignault and Jemison gave the RedHawks their largest lead of the set to that point at 20-17. CMU was able to pull within one at 20-21 and force a Miami timeout. Out of the break, Jemison, Payne and Kukoc each had kills, while Payne and Kukoc teamed up for a block to finish off a 25-20 victory and give the Red and White a 3-1 win in the match.

"Central is a very good team and pushed us hard," said head coach Carolyn Condit. "We settled into our passing game and showed some our best serving this weekend. Margaret turned out another outstanding performance with Morgan, and Taylor and Sarah came off the bench early and really made a real impact. In addition, the freshmen combo of Jen and Corinne scored key points in this victory."

Kukoc and Harper had eight kills apiece, with Harper also contributing 10 digs. Seaman led Miami with 28 assists, while Huser had a team-high 22 digs.

Miami begins a five-match homestand this Friday when it hosts fellow MAC Co-Leader Ball State at 7 p.m.