Volleyball Returns Home to Host Buffalo and Akron

Friday, October 4

Oxford, Ohio

7:00 p.m. ET

Miami University

Buffalo

Volleyball Returns Home to Host Buffalo and Akron

10/3/2019 9:09:00 AM | Women's Volleyball

Match Notes - Buffalo and Akron (PDF)Live Stats (Both Matches)ESPN3 (Buffalo)ESPN3 (Akron)

OXFORD, Ohio - After four weeks on the road, the Miami University volleyball team returns home for a pair of matches inside the friendly confines of Millett Hall. On Friday, the RedHawks host Buffalo at 7 p.m. Miami then takes on Akron on Saturday at 5 p.m. Both matches will air live on ESPN3.

CONSISTENCY LEADS TO WINS: Miami is looking to establish consistency on both offense and defense as it continues its defense of its Mid-American Conference title. Offensively in victories the RedHawks are averaging 14.29 kills per set and have a .220 attack percentage. In losses they are down 11.48 kills per set and a .149 attack percentage. Defensively, Miami averages 17.57 digs per set in victories with opponents hitting .159, but is only getting 13.86 digs per set and allowing the opposition a .279 attack percentage in defeats.

REBOUNDING FROM EARLY SETBACK: The RedHawks are looking to rebound after dropping their match last Saturday at Ohio. Despite a 65-15 record from 2014-18 in MAC play, in four of those five years Miami has lost at least one its three first conference matches. Every time the 'Hawks have responded with a long winning streak and have not finished worse than 12-4 in the MAC standings during that stretch.

OPPONENT PREVIEW

ABOUT BUFFALO: The Bulls are 5-9 overall and 1-1 in the MAC. They went to five sets in both of their matches to open MAC play last weekend. They fell 2-3 against Akron on Thursday, but rebounded to take down Toledo, 15-12, in the fifth set on Saturday. Senior outside hitter Rachel Sanks has been Buffalo's top offensive threat. She has 152 kills, an average of 2.71 per set. Another key player is senior outside hitter Polina Prokudina. She has 135 kills, an average of 2.55 per set.

SERIES WITH THE BULLS: Miami holds a 31-9 record in the all-time series with Buffalo. The RedHawks have won nine straight against the Bulls, including both matches last season. On Sept. 22, 2018 in Buffalo, Miami cruised to a 3-0 (27-25, 25-17, 25-19) victory after a tight first set. Margaret Payne had a career-high 11 blocks to go with a team-high 13 kills in the win. On Oct. 26, 2018 in Oxford, the teams were locked in a tight battle throughout, but Miami was able to come away with a 3-2 (25-15, 21-25, 29-27, 20-25, 15-12) win. Gaby Harper had 17 kills and 20 digs to lead the Red and White.

ABOUT AKRON: The Zips have been the surprise team of the MAC this season as they are 9-4 and 2-0 in league play. They have won seven straight matches, including a couple of five-set thrillers over Buffalo and Ball State this past weekend. Prior to taking on Miami, they will face Bowling Green on Friday. Akron is led by its libero, junior Taylor Sharrits. She has 193 digs in 2019, an average of 4.20 digs per set. Its top offensive player is senior middle blocker Ashley Richardson. She has put down 131 kills and has an attack percentage of .394.

SERIES WITH THE ZIPS: Miami leads the all-time series with Akron, 46-14. The RedHawks have won 12 straight against the Zips including a pair of sweeps last season. On Sept. 21, 2018 in Akron, Miami put down 14 service aces en route to a 3-0 (25-15, 25-19, 25-18) win. Gaby Harper had eight kills and 10 digs in the victory. On Oct. 27, 2018 in Oxford, the 'Hawks used another complete performance to take the 3-0 (25-18, 25-16, 25-19) victory. Harper had 12 kills and eight digs in that match.