RedHawks Fall in Three to Akron Saturday

Saturday, October 5

Oxford, Ohio

5:00 p.m. ET

Miami University

7-7

Akron

10-3

Akron

Miami (OH)

10/5/2019 7:37:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score Akron 3 Miami 0 (PDF)

OXFORD, Ohio – The Miami University volleyball team could not overcome a strong Akron serving game as it fell to the Zips 0-3 (22-25, 21-25, 18-25) on Saturday. The RedHawks are now 7-8 overall and 2-2 in the Mid-American Conference. Akron is 11-4 overall and 4-0 in the MAC.

While Miami had more kills in the match at 40-39, that tough serve forced the 'Hawks into 22 attack errors as they hit only .146 for the contest. Akron was able to keep its errors to 11 as it finished with a .252 attack percentage.

Junior middle hitter Avarie Powell completed a fantastic weekend with another big performance. She tied her career high with 13 kills. She made only two errors in 21 attempts for a .524 attack percentage. In two matches this week, Powell had 25 kills and a .553 attack percentage.

The Zips jumped to a 3-0 lead to begin set one before a kill from senior middle hitter Margaret Payne off an assist from junior setter Morgan Seaman put Miami on the board. A service ace by junior right side hitter Sarah Wojick tied the score at four, but a 15-9 run gave Akron its largest lead at 19-13. Powell put down two kills off assists from sophomore setter Louise Comerford and junior libero Abigail Huser recorded two straight service aces to help pull the RedHawks within three at 17-20. Trailing 17-22, three straight errors by the Zips got Miami with two. UA scored next, but a kill from Wojick and a service ace by sophomore right side hitter Sophie Riemersma cut the deficit to one at 22-23. The comeback was not to be as Akron scored the next two to take a 25-22 victory.

The teams traded side outs to begin set two. Tied at seven, a block by sophomore outside hitter Gaby Harper and Taylor Daignault, along with a kill from Payne were part of four straight for the RedHawks that gave them an 11-7 advantage. The Zips answered with a 7-2 run to go in front 14-13. Riemersma had a couple of kills, but the teams continued to trade points. A kill from Harper cut the lead to one at 21-22, but the Zips scored the final three and won 25-21.

Akron came out swinging in set three, quickly jumping to a 7-1 lead. Powell had four kills to help cut the deficit to 7-12. The Zips however pushed the advantage to 10 at 18-8 with a 6-1 run. That proved to be more than enough as they held on for a 25-18 victory and won the match in straight sets.

Payne recorded nine kills and three blocks for Miami. Harper finished with eight kills and eight digs. Seaman led the RedHawks with 22 assists, while Huser finished with 11 digs.
Miami remains at home on Thursday as it takes on Bowling Green. First serve is at 7 p.m. and it will air live on ESPN+.