OXFORD, Ohio – It was not always pretty, but the Miami University volleyball team was able to put points down when it mattered most as it defeated Buffalo, 3-2 (25-15, 21-25, 29-27, 20-25, 15-12), Friday evening inside Millett Hall. The RedHawks improve to 18-5 overall and 10-1 in the Mid-American Conference. The Bulls fall to 13-10 overall and 5-6 in the MAC.

Freshman outside hitter Gaby Harper recorded another double-double to lead Miami in the victory. She had a team-high 17 kills and also added 20 digs. Junior middle hitter Margaret Payne came up big late with four kills in the fifth set. She had 11 for the match. Sophomore libero Abigail Huser led the RedHawks defensively, recording 27 of the team's 83 total digs.

Miami had a fantastic performance in set one. Harper had four kills, while a block from Payne and senior right side hitter Stela Kukoc gave it an early 8-2 lead. The Bulls would cut the deficit to two at 10-12, but a service ace by junior outside hitter Taylor Daignault and kills from Kukoc and sophomore setter Morgan Seaman started a 6-1 run that gave the RedHawks an 18-11 advantage. MU kept the pressure on as freshman setter Louise Comerford had a service ace and found Daignault for a kill that made it 22-13. A kill from senior middle hitter Courtney Simons finished off a 25-15 victory.

Buffalo took a 10-5 advantage to begin set two. Kills from Kukoc, Simons, Payne and Daignault helped pull the 'Hawks within one at 10-11.  The Bulls would not let the RedHawks get over the hump as they scored the next two points and maintained between a three and five point advantage for the next portion of the frame. Buffalo had set point at 24-19, but back-to-back kills from Kukoc forced a timeout. Out of the break UB scored next to take a 25-21 win.

Set three did not start out well for Miami as it fell behind, 3-8. Freshman outside hitter Sophie Riemersma came off the bench and immediately put down three kills as part of an 8-4 run that cut the deficit to one at 11-12. Kills from Harper and Kukoc would help the RedHawks eventually tie the score at 15. Tied at 17, a 6-2 run by Buffalo seemingly gave it control at 22-19. The teams traded side outs until the Bulls had set point at 24-21. UB served the next one into the net and then Daignault and freshman middle hitter Corinne Jemison teamed up for a block to make it 23-24 and force a Bull timeout. Out of the break, Buffalo hit one that was called out and upheld on review to tie the score. The Bulls got three more chances to win the set, but each time Miami tied the score. After a kill from Harper tied it at 27, the RedHawks got their first chance at the win when Kukoc put down a kill. Buffalo hit its next attack just long and Miami was able to escape with a 29-27 victory.

Despite falling behind 5-9 in set four, the RedHawks were able to fight back to take an 11-10 lead. At that point, a 9-3 run by UB gave it a 19-14 advantage. Payne had two kills, while Harper and Riemersma each had another, but Miami would not get any closer than three points as the Bulls took a 25-20 win and sent the match to a decisive set five.

Payne came out swinging in set five with three quick kills to help Miami to a 5-1 lead. The Bulls answered with a 4-2 run to close within two before a Harper kill had the teams switch sides with the 'Hawks up 8-5. Jemsion put one down to make it 9-5 and the teams traded side outs until it was 13-8 in favor of the 'RedHawks. Buffalo did not give up as it scored the next four in a row to pull within one. Harper ended the run as she put one down to the floor off a perfect pass from Seaman. The Bulls hit the next one into the net to give Miami a 15-12 victory and a 3-2 win in the match.

Seaman had a double-double for the RedHawks with a team-high 27 assists and 10 digs. Payne and Harper had three blocks each for Miami. Andrea Mitrovic was the star for Buffalo, scoring 28 kills on 79 total attacks.

The RedHawks return to action Saturday when they host Akron for a 5 p.m. match. It will be Senior Night and Kukoc and Simons will be honored in a prematch ceremony. The match will air live on ESPN3.