Volleyball Hosts Ohio and Kent State this Weekend

Friday, November 1

Oxford, Ohio

7:00 p.m. ET

Miami University

Ohio

Volleyball Hosts Ohio and Kent State this Weekend

10/31/2019 11:09:00 AM | Women's Volleyball

Match Notes - Ohio and Kent State Live Stats (Both Matches)Watch Ohio Live ($)ESPN+ (Kent State)

OXFORD, Ohio - The Miami University volleyball team looks to continue its strong play as of late as it returns home for a pair of matches. On Friday, Miami hosts Ohio for the Battle of the Bricks at 7 p.m. That match will air live on MiamiRedHawks.com for those who have a subscription. On Saturday, the RedHawks welcome Kent State to Millett Hall. That match is at 5 p.m. and will air on ESPN+.

SIX-MATCH WIN STREAK LED BY DEFENSE: Miami has won its last six matches in a row. The major key to the streak is its defense. The RedHawks have held those six opponents to a .126 attack percentage. Junior libero Abigail Huser is averaging 4.09 digs per set, while senior outside hitter Taylor Daignault is at 3.70 digs per set. Miami has 55.5 total blocks during that streak, an impressive average of 2.41 per set. Senior Margaret Payne has 31 blocks over the last six contests (six solo, 25 assisted). That is an average of 1.35 blocks per set.

OFFENSE NOT TO SHABBY EITHER: The RedHawks have had a strong balanced offensive attack during their six-match winning streak. Sophomore outside hitter Gaby Harper leads the way 73 kills (3.17 per set), while Payne has 71 (3.09 per set). Miami is hitting .258 during the win streak, with Payne at .373 and junior right side hitter Avarie Powell at .344.

ABOUT OHIO: Ohio is 13-10 overall and 5-5 in the MAC. The Bobcats have dropped three of their past four matches, including a 2-3 loss to Western Michigan last Friday and a 1-3 setback to Northern Illinois on Saturday. Junior right side hitter Maggie Nedoma and junior middle blocker Tia Jimerson have been the offensive stars for Ohio this season. Nedoma has 296 kills, an average of 3.29 per set. After missing the early part of the season due to injury, Jimerson has quickly made her presence felt. She has 183 kills in 15 matches, an average of 3.21 kills per set. The Bobcats feature one of the best setters in the MAC in junior Vera Giacomazzi. She has 1,018 assists on the season and ranks 10th in the nation with a 11.32 assists per set average.

SERIES WITH THE BOBCATS: Miami holds a 51-36 lead in the all-time series with Ohio. The RedHawks have won six of the past eight against the Bobcats, but they dropped a 1-3 (22-25, 25-22, 14-25, 18-25) decision in their first meeting this season on Sept. 28 in Athens. Miami hit only .108 for the match. Senior outside hitter Taylor Daignault recorded a double-double with 10 kills and 14 digs.

ABOUT KENT STATE: Kent State is 11-11 and 4-6 in the MAC. The Golden Flashes have won three of their past four matches. They split their two contests last weekend on the road. It started with a 1-3 loss at Northern Illinois on Friday. They rebounded to take a five-set thriller at Western Michigan on Saturday. Kent State is led by senior outside hitter Ashley Makruski. She has 219 kills, an average of 2.81 kills per set. It also has one of the league's better liberos in sophomore Erin Gardner. She has 469 digs, an average of 5.52 digs per set.

SERIES WITH THE GOLDEN FLASHES: Miami holds a 65-18 all-time record in the series with Kent State. The RedHawks have won five straight against the Golden Flashes, including a 3-0 (25-23, 26-24, 25-18) sweep in their first meeting on Sept. 27 in Kent. Miami rallied late in each of the first two sets before finishing off the win in the third. Sophomore outside hitter Gaby Harper led the way with 12 kills and 18 digs in the victory.