ATHENS, Ohio – Picked to finish fourth in the Mid-American Conference East Division after graduating several high profile seniors, the Miami University volleyball team earned its third straight MAC Regular Season Championship with a 3-0 (26-24, 30-28, 25-21) victory at Ohio on Saturday. The RedHawks conclude the regular season at 21-7 and 13-3 in the MAC. The Bobcats finish 12-17 overall and 7-9 in the MAC.

It was a strong offensive performance as Miami recorded a .244 attack percentage as a team. It was led by freshman outside hitter Sophie Riemersma, who had a career-best night with 16 kills. She had only four errors in 40 attacks for a .300 hitting percentage. The RedHawks also got a lot of help from the middle, as junior middle hitter Margaret Payne had 10 kills and six blocks, while senior middle hitter Courtney Simons put down nine kills and had a .500 attack percentage.

"We showed one of our best road performances tonight in Athens to secure the regular season championship," said head coach Carolyn Condit. "Our court was full of energy and resilience! Consistent passing and aggressive serving were key to this win, as was the amazing offensive performance by Sophie and defensive performance by Abigail."

Set one was tight throughout as for the majority of the frame, as neither team could establish more than a two point advantage. Ohio had the lead early until two kills from freshman outside hitter Gaby Harper put Miami in front, 9-8. The Bobcats would regain the advantage until back-to-back kills from Simons and senior right side hitter Stela Kukoc made it 18-17. At that point, OU went on a 4-0 run to create the only three-point lead either way the entire set at 21-18. Kukoc came on with a kill and two service aces as the 'Hawks went on a 5-1 run to take a 23-22 lead. Two straight Bobcat points gave them set point at 24-23 and forced a Miami timeout. Out of the break, a kill from Payne tied the score. Riemersma then put down a kill, while freshman setter Louise Comerford had a service ace to give the RedHawks a 26-24 win.

Kukoc had a kill and another service ace, while Payne had two kills to help Miami jump to an 8-2 lead to begin set two. The Bobcats fought back, answering with a 13-6 run to take the advantage back at 15-14. It then became the Riemersma show. She smashed four kills down as part of a 7-1 run that made it 21-16. Ohio was not done, as it was able to tie the score at 23. A kill from Simons gave the RedHawks set point, but the Bobcats fought it off. OU fought off two more times before scoring two in a row to take a 27-26 lead and get its own chance to win. Riemersma ended that threat with a kill off an assist from sophomore setter Morgan Seaman. Tied at 28, Riemersma had a kill followed by a service ace to give Miami a 30-28 victory. Riemersma finished with nine kills, two blocks and an ace during that set.

Tied at 11 in set three, a service ace from Comerford and a kill by junior right side hitter Haley Stewart shifted momentum onto the RedHawks' side. Riemersma had another service ace, while kills from Harper and Payne helped push the advantage to six at 21-15. A kill from Payne and an ace by Kukoc gave Miami match point at 24-18. The Bobcats made things interesting by fighting it off three times, but a final kill from Payne gave Miami a 25-21 win and the victory in straight sets.

The RedHawks had a nine service aces in the match, led by a career-high five from Kukoc. Miami outdug Ohio, 69-62. Sophomore libero Abigail Huser led the way with 22 digs, while Harper contributed 15. Seaman had a team-high 26 assists to go along with eight digs.

After sharing the regular season title with Bowling Green, Miami will be the two seed in the upcoming MAC Tournament that takes place in Oxford at Millett Hall starting next Thursday. The RedHawks gain a double-bye straight to the semifinal round, and will have their first match on Saturday at 7 p.m. Check back with MiamiRedHawks.com later Saturday for a full MAC Tournament bracket.