Volleyball Drops Defensive Battle to Bowling Green

Thursday, September 27

Bowling Green, Ohio

6:00 p.m. ET

Miami University

10-5, 2-2MAC

Bowling Green

9-7, 3-0MAC

MIAMI

Bowling Green

Volleyball Drops Defensive Battle to Bowling Green

9/27/2018 8:26:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score Bowling Green Box (PDF)

BOWLING GREEN, Ohio – As is usually the case when the Miami University volleyball team faces Bowling Green it was a defensive battle, but the RedHawks fell, 1-3 (25-19, 19-25, 23-25, 17-25), to the Falcons Thursday evening. Miami is now 10-5 on the season and 2-1 in the Mid-American Conference. BGSU is 9-7 overall and 3-0 in the MAC.

Each point was highly contested as there were several long rallies. The RedHawks recorded a season-high 101 digs, while the Falcons were right behind with 100. Sophomore libero Abigail Huser had 22 digs, as did senior outside hitter Stela Kukoc, tying a career. Sophomore setter Morgan Seaman tied a career-high with 18 digs, and made it a double-double with 23 assists.

Offensively, junior middle hitter Margaret Payne continued to lead the way with 15 kills and a .500 attack percentage. Freshman outside hitter Gaby Harper added another double-double with 11 kills and 11 digs. Freshman middle hitter Corinne Jemison put down 10 kills for the RedHawks.

It was a great start in set one as Payne and sophomore outside hitter Sarah Wojick teamed up for a block and then each put down a kill to help Miami take a 4-0 lead. Huser had a service ace to give the 'Hawks an 8-4 advantage. BGSU pulled to within two, but three straight kills by Jemison made it 14-8 in favor of Miami. Kills from Kukoc, Payne and Harper helped give the Red and White their largest lead at 22-15. The Falcons closed to within four points, but a kill from Kukoc and a service ace by Seaman finished off a 25-19 win.

Trailing 6-7 in set two, Bowling Green went on a 7-2 run to take a 13-9 advantage. Miami fought back as Payne had a pair of kills, while a service ace from Kukoc pulled it to within one at 14-15. The Red and White just could not get over the hump and tie the score, and with the Falcons in front 20-18, a 5-1 run closed out a 25-19 victory and sent the match into intermission tied at one.

Tied at five in set three, a kill from Jemison and a service ace by freshman setter Jennifer Schulze got the RedHawk offense moving. Two more kills from Jemison, along with kills from Payne and Harper gave Miami its largest lead at 14-11 and forced a Bowling Green timeout. Out of the break, the Falcons were able to tie the score at 17, but a kill from Harper and a block by Jemison put the 'Hawks in front again. The Falcons answered with a 6-2 run to go ahead, 23-21. Miami did not give up as back-to-back kills by Seaman and Payne tied the score. BGSU followed with two straight points to come away with a 25-23 victory.

Set four started out in favor of the RedHawks as Harper put down three kills, while a smash from Jemison gave them a 10-6 advantage. A 10-3 from the Falcons put them on top, 16-13, and forced a Miami timeout. Jemison and Harper each had kills to keep the Red and White in it, closing to within two at 16-18. From there Bowling Green went on a 7-1 run to win the set 25-17 and take the match, 3-1.

"Our middle connections were the highlights of the match along with our defensive effort," said head coach Carolyn Condit. "Gaby showed great stamina in earning a double-double and Morgan settled in and set well for her hitters. Much learned."

The RedHawks will return to action on Sunday when they host Northern Illinois as part of Family Weekend. Match time begins at 3 p.m. and it will air live on ESPN3.