CARBONDALE, Ill. – The Miami University volleyball team put forth a complete defensive effort as it knocked off Southern Illinois, 3-1 (25-19, 19-25, 25-19, 25-19) at the Saluki Invitational Friday evening. With their third straight win the RedHawks improve to 4-1 on the season. The Salukis fall to 3-2.

For the second straight match Miami's defense was the story. The Red and White forced SIU into 34 attack errors. The Salukis only attacked at a .028 percentage. The team had 12 blocks on the night with junior middle hitter Margaret Payne leading the way with six (one solo and five assisted).

Two RedHawks finished with double-doubles on Friday. Senior right side hitter Stela Kukoc had a team-leading 11 kills and also contributed 11 digs. Sophomore setter Morgan Seaman had 18 assists and 13 digs.

Freshman outside hitter Gaby Harper put down a couple of kills early as Miami took a 6-5 lead to begin set one. Freshman middle hitter Corinne Jemison subbed in at that point and was directly responsible for the RedHawks' next five points as she scored four kills and a block to help them to an 11-9 advantage. SIU went in front, 14-13, before a kill by junior right side hitter Haley Stewart started a 5-0 run by Miami that changed the momentum. The Salukis scored next before four straight for the Red and White put the set out of reach at 22-15. A kill by Kukoc off an assist from freshman setter Jennifer Schulze finished off a 25-18 victory.

Payne put down a couple of kills, but neither team could build an advantage during the first half of set two. Trailing 12-13, a kill by Payne off an assist from Seaman and a Saluki attack error gave the RedHawks the lead. The teams traded side outs until it was 15-14 in favor of Miami. SIU followed with an 8-0 run that put it in control at 22-15. Senior middle hitter Courtney Simons put down two kills, while Kukoc had another as the 'Hawks made a comeback attempt, getting as close as four points, but the Salukis took a 25-19 victory.

Tied at four in set three, a block by Simons and a kill by Harper started an 8-3 run that put the RedHawks on top 12-7. The teams traded side outs until a kill from Jemison off an assist from freshman setter Jennifer Schulze made it 18-13. At that point sophomore outside hitter Sarah Wojick took over, recording four kills and leading Miami to a 25-19 win.

The RedHawks scored the first five points of the fourth set, capped off by a block by Payne and a kill by Wojick. The Salukis fought back to get within one at 7-8, but kills from Kukoc, Harper and freshman outside hitter Sophie Riemersma, along with a block from Riemersma put Miami in control at 14-9. The teams traded side outs until SIU scored two in a row to pull within three at 15-18. The Salukis were eventually able to close to within two points at 18-20 to force a RedHawk timeout. Out of the break a Southern Illinois attack error, a block by Jemison and Riemersma and a kill from Jemison made sure there would be no comeback. After the Salukis scored, Wojick put down back-to-back kills to give Miami a 25-19 victory and a 3-1 win in the match.

Wojick finished with nine kills and five blocks for the RedHawks. Jemison had eight kills, while Payne and Harper recorded seven each. Junior libero Taylor Daignault led Miami with 16 digs, while Schulze had a team-leading 22 assists to go along with eight digs.

"We had several setback during the match, but individuals stepped up and took on different roles successfully," said head coach Carolyn Condit. "This endurance and versatility point to their strong determination to find ways to win. Stela, Margaret, Gaby and Morgan were solid throughout the match. Taylor continues to progress in the libero role."

Having already secured the Saluki Invitational title, the RedHawks will look to complete a perfect weekend when they take on Alabama A&M on Saturday at 1 p.m. (EDT).