Volleyball Wins Ninth Straight with 3-0 Win Over Akron

Saturday, October 27

Oxford, Ohio

5:00 p.m. ET

Miami University

11-119-5; MAC

Akron

3-911-12; MAC

Akron

Miami

Volleyball Wins Ninth Straight with 3-0 Win Over Akron

10/27/2018 7:19:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score Akron Box (PDF)

OXFORD, Ohio – The Miami University volleyball team made it nine straight victories in a row as it cruised to a 3-0 (25-18, 25-16, 25-19) win over Akron on Saturday. The RedHawks improve to 19-5 overall and 11-1 in the Mid-American Conference. The Zips fall to 11-12 overall and 3-9 in the MAC.

The Miami defense led the 'Hawks to the victory. The Red and White held Akron to a .138 attack percentage as the Zips were able to manage only 25 kills during the entire match.

It also was Senior Night, and both of Miami's seniors responded with strong performances. Senior middle hitter Courtney Simons had nine kills and two blocks. She made only one error in 13 attempts for a blistering attack percentage of .615. Senior right side hitter Stela Kukoc had six kills in 14 attempts for a .429 attack percentage.

Trailing 6-7 in set one, it was the serve of freshman outside hitter Sophie Riemersma that got the Miami offense going. She put down a service ace, and then freshman outside hitter Gaby Harper took the pass from freshman setter Louise Comerford and killed it to give the RedHawks the lead. Another service ace by Riemersma was part of four straight points that made it 10-7. Akron would keep it close, pulling within two at 14-16. From there a kill by Simons and yet another ace from Riemersma started a 6-2 run that put Miami in control at 22-17. Kills from Kukoc and junior middle hitter Margaret Payne put the 'Hawks on the brink, while a kill from Harper off an assist from sophomore setter Morgan Seaman finished off a 25-18 win.

Tied at nine in set two, back-to-back kills from junior right side hitter Haley Stewart and Harper, followed by a block by Stewart, sparked a 6-1 run that gave the RedHawks a 15-10 advantage. A pair of kills by Kukoc helped Miami maintain that advantage. Leading 19-15, Simons took over, putting down three kills as part of a 6-1 stretch that allowed the RedHawks to earn a 25-16 victory.

Payne and sophomore outside hitter Sarah Wojick each had kills as part of a 4-1 start to set one. Two more kills from Wojick and one by freshman middle hitter Corinne Jemison made it 8-4 in favor of Miami. Harper had another kill, while Seaman put down a service ace as the RedHawks slowly began to pull away. Leading 16-11, a 6-2 run would make it 22-13. The Zips did not give up as they got the lead down to five points, but their final serve went into the net to give Miami a 25-19 win and the match in straight sets.

Harper led the RedHawks with 12 kills. She had only two errors in 23 attempts for a .435 attack percentage. Riemersma and sophomore libero Abigail Huser led Miami with 13 digs each, while Comerford recorded 21 assists. The 'Hawks hit .286 as a team for the match.

Miami has its regular season home finale next Thursday when it hosts Bowling Green at 7 p.m. That match will air live on ESPN+.