Miami Offense Strong in Sweep of Kent State

Saturday, October 6

Oxford, Ohio

5:00 p.m. ET

Miami University

5-113-5; MAC

Kent State

1-58-12; MAC

Kent State

Miami

Miami Offense Strong in Sweep of Kent State

10/6/2018 7:54:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score Kent State Box (PDF)Photo Gallery

OXFORD, Ohio – The Miami University volleyball team put together a complete offensive effort as it won its third straight match with a 3-0 (25-18, 25-21, 25-21) victory over Kent State Saturday afternoon. The RedHawks improve to 13-5 overall and 5-1 in the Mid-American Conference. The Golden Flashes fall to 8-12 overall and 1-5 in the MAC.

Miami had a .290 attack percentage for the contest, which is a season-high for a MAC match and its fourth best performance offensively this season. For the second straight match freshman outside hitter Sophie Riemersma was strong from the left antenna, finishing with a team-high 12 kills. She made only one attack error in 26 attempts for a .423 attack percentage. Playing all six rotations, Riemersma added two blocks and five digs.

Kills from junior middle hitter Margaret Payne and Riemersma, along with a service ace by freshman outside hitter Gaby Harper got Miami off to a 3-0 start in set one. Payne and junior right side hitter Haley Stewart each had a kill as the 'Hawks increased their advantage to 13-8. The teams traded points until two kills from Riemersma off assists from freshman setter Jennifer Schulze gave Miami a 19-13 advantage. Sophomore middle hitter Avarie Powell had two kills off assists from sophomore setter Morgan Seaman, while Riemersma put down a Kent State over pass to finish off a 25-18 victory.

Senior right side hitter Stela Kukoc and Payne each put down a kill, while Riemersma smashed down three more to help the Red and White open up an 8-4 advantage in set two. The Golden Flashes would keep the score close, but Miami held them at bay throughout the entire frame. Once KSU pulled to within two at 13-15, back-to-back kills from senior middle hitter Courtney Simons and Harper got the RedHawks in control. Kent State could get no closer than three points as junior outside hitter Taylor Daignault finished off the 25-21 victory with a kill.

Kukoc had a pair kills, while Riemersma and sophomore outside hitter Sarah Wojick each had one to stake the Red and White to a 9-6 advantage in set three. Kent State scored the next two points, but a 9-5 run by Miami put it in control at 18-13. Riemersma had two more kills during that stretch. The Golden Flashes did not give up, pulling to within two at 21-23, but a service error followed by an attack error gave the RedHawks a 25-21 win and the victory in straight sets.

Payne had nine kills and three blocks for Miami. Simons finished with five kills, while Kukoc had four kills and 10 digs. Seaman led the RedHawks with 18 assists, while junior libero Lindsay Dauch tied for the team-lead with 10 digs.

Miami hit the road next weekend for a pair of matches. It begins on Friday when they travel to Eastern Michigan for a 7 p.m. contest. That match will air live on ESPN+.