OXFORD, Ohio – Led by its terrific freshmen class, the Miami University volleyball team got back on the winning track with a 3-0 (25-18, 28-26, 25-18) victory over Northern Illinois on Sunday. The RedHawks improve to 11-5 overall and 3-1 in the Mid-American Conference. The Huskies fall to 5-14 overall and 3-1 in the MAC.

Each freshman who saw action contributed to the victory. Freshman middle hitter Corinne Jemison had 12 kills. She did not make a single attack error in 20 attempts for a .600 attack percentage. Freshman outside hitter Gaby Harper continued to show her value as a six-rotation player, finishing with eight kills and a career-high 23 digs. Freshman outside hitter Sophie Riemersma got the start and contributed eight kills and 10 digs. Freshman setter Louise Comerford found her attackers the entire match with a team-high 22 assists. She just missed a double-double with eight digs.

Kills by Harper and Riemersma off assists from sophomore setter Morgan Seaman, along with a block from junior middle hitter Margaret Payne and senior right side hitter Stela Kukoc helped Miami jump to a 6-2 lead to begin set one. A 10-6 run by Northern Illinois tied the score at 12. Harper, Jemison and Payne each had kills as the RedHawks eventually went back in front, 18-16. After the Huskies scored next, a 7-1 run closed out a 25-18 victory with junior libero Lindsay Dauch finishing it off with a service ace.

Neither team could establish an advantage through the first 20 points of set two. Tied at 10, NIU went on a 7-2 run to take control at 17-12. A block from Kukoc and Payne, two kills from Riemersma and one from Dauch cut the deficit to two at 16-18. Northern Illinois scored the next three points to go in front 21-16 and force a Miami timeout. Out of the break, a kill and a service ace by Kukoc and a kill from Harper were part of a 5-1 run that pulled the 'Hawks within one at 21-22. The Huskies score next, but a kill and a service ace by Harper tied the score at 23. NIU would get three straight chances to win the set, but the RedHawks fought it off each time. After a Jemison kill tied the score at 26, Kukoc put one down to give Miami a chance at 27-26. Jemison then quickly put down an over pass on the next point to give the Red and White a 28-26 victory.

Payne and Jemison had two kills each as Miami established a 9-3 lead in set three. Jemison had two more kills, while Payne and junior right side hitter Haley Stewart teamed up on two blocks to give the RedHawks their largest lead at 15-6. The Huskies did not give up, going on an 8-3 run to pull within four at 14-18. A kill and service ace by Kukoc, followed by a kill from Jemison ensured there would not be a comeback. Payne put down the final kill for the 25-18 win and a 3-0 victory in the match.

Payne led Miami with 13 kills and five blocks. Kukoc just missed a double-double with eight kills and 10 digs. Same for Seaman with 21 assists and nine digs. Miami hit .224 for the match, while holding Northern Illinois to a .104 attack percentage.

The RedHawks remain at home next Friday when they host Ohio for the "Battle of the Bricks" at 7 p.m. That match will air live on ESPN+.