AKRON, Ohio – The Miami University volleyball team used a season-high 14 service aces and dominated the blocking game to earn a 3-0 (25-15, 25-19, 25-18) victory over Akron to begin Mid-American Conference on Friday. The RedHawks improve to 9-4 overall and 1-0 in the MAC. The Zips fall to 8-4 and 0-1 in the MAC.

Freshman Louise Comerford led the Miami service game with a career-high four aces. Senior outside hitter Stela Kukoc and junior right side hitter Haley Stewart each had three.
The RedHawks held a 9-2 advantage in blocks on Friday. Junior middle hitter Margaret Payne once again led the way with five blocks.

"It was good to open the MAC season with a three-set win, leading in all stat categories," said head coach Carolyn Condit. "Our 14 aces, nine blocks and solid teamwork helped secure the win."

Akron took a 7-4 lead to begin set one. A pair of Zip attack errors, along with a kill by freshman middle hitter Corinne Jemison and a service ace by freshman outside hitter Gaby Harper put Miami on top. A service ace from Stewart, along with a block from Jemison and Kukoc helped put the Red and White in front, 12-9. The Zips scored next, but the RedHawks took control with a 9-2 run capped off by a service ace from Comerford that made it 21-12. That proved to be more than enough as back-to-back kills by Stewart and Kukoc finished off a 25-15 victory.

Three kills from sophomore outside hitter Sarah Wojick and two from Harper helped Miami take a 7-3 lead in set two. Jemison put down two more, while both Comerford and Stewart had service aces as the Red and White built their advantage to as big as nine points at 16-7. The Zips fought back, answering with a 12-5 run to pull within two at 19-21. Two kills from Kukoc and two service aces by freshman outside hitter Sophie Riemersma gave Miami four straight points and a 25-19 win.

Akron opened up a 9-7 advantage to begin set three. A kill from Wojick, along with two straight from Kukoc started a 7-0 run that put the 'Hawks on top, 14-9. The Zips closed to within two at 14-16, before a pair of kills from Harper off assists from sophomore setter Morgan Seaman helped increase the advantage to 19-15. Comerford then recorded two more service aces, while Harper had a solo block to make sure there would be no Akron comeback. A final service ace by Stewart finished off a 25-18 victory and gave the RedHawks a straight-set win.

Harper led Miami with eight kills and 10 digs. Jemison had seven kills and a .455 attack percentage. Kukoc and Wojick put down six kills each.

The RedHawks return to action on Saturday when they travel to Buffalo for a 6 p.m. match. It will be webcast live on the Bulls' YouTube channel.