OXFORD, Ohio – The Miami University volleyball team used a dominating first set performance to set the tone in a 3-0 (25-10, 25-22, 25-20) season-opening victory over Saint Louis to begin play at the Miami Best Western Sycamore Inn Invitational on Friday. A crowd of 1,146, the second-largest in team history, was on hand.

A balanced offensive attack helped lead the RedHawks to the win. Junior middle hitter Margaret Payne and sophomore outside hitter Sarah Wojick led the way with nine kills apiece. In her first career match, freshman outside hitter Gaby Harper contributed seven kills, while senior middle hitter Courtney Simons finished with six.

Kills by Wojick and Payne along with a service ace from senior outside hitter Stela Kukoc set the pace to begin set one as Miami took a 3-0 lead. Harper and Simons each had kills before the Billikens were able to pull the score within four at 5-9. A kill from junior right side hitter Haley Stewart started an 11-2 run that put the RedHawks in control at 20-7. Wojick had two kills and a block during that stretch, while junior libero Lindsay Dauch and Kukoc each recorded service aces. Kills from Harper and Payne off assists from sophomore setter Morgan Seaman kept the momentum going, while a kill from Stewart off an assist from freshman setter Louise Comerford finished off the 25-10 victory.

Wojick had three kills as the RedHawks again jumped to a big lead to begin set two. A service ace by Seaman put Miami on top, 12-6. Two kills from Payne and a service ace by Comerford helped the Red and White get their biggest lead at 18-9. Saint Louis fought back, going on a 10-2 run to pull within one at 20-19. A kill from Wojick and a Billiken attack error got MU going again. The teams traded points until it was 23-22 in favor of the 'Hawks. A Saint Louis attack error and a kill from Payne gave Miami a 25-22 win.

Two blocks from Payne and a service ace by Wojick helped Miami jump to a 7-2 lead in set three. Simons had a pair of kills as the RedHawks extended the advantage to 13-7. Payne had two kills, while Harper put down one to keep Saint Louis at bay. The Billikens were able to pull within three late at 19-22, but a kill from Harper and a service ace by Wojick gave Miami match point. After a Saint Louis point, the first career kill from freshman middle hitter Corinne Jemison gave the RedHawks a 25-20 victory and a 3-0 win in the match.

Miami had a strong .256 attack percentage for the match. Its defense held the Billikens to a .077 attack percentage. Dauch led the RedHawks with 14 digs, while Seaman had 21 assists.

Miami completes play its home tournament tomorrow with a pair of matches. The 'Hawks face UC Santa Barbara at 10 a.m. and take on Cincinnati at 7:30 p.m. Both matches will be available on ESPN+.