OXFORD, Ohio – It was a successful opener for the Miami University volleyball team as it took a 3-1 (25-21, 25-20, 18-25, 25-17) victory over Virginia Tech to begin play at the Miami Best Western Sycamore Inn Invitational on Friday. The RedHawks start the year with a 1-0 record, while the Hokies fall to 1-1.

Senior Margaret Payne picked up right where she left off last season. She put down 12 kills and had six blocks (one solo and five assisted). She made only one error in 21 attempts for an attack percentage of .524. Sophomore outside hitter Sophie Riemersma also had a strong performance with 11 kills. She made only one error in 20 attempts for an attack percentage of .500.

It was a bit of a slow start as Virginia Tech took a 5-3 lead to begin set one. Miami would tie the score at six, but the Hokies eventually pushed the advantage back to three at 12-9. Back-to-back kills from junior right side hitter Avarie Powell sparked a 9-1 run that put the RedHawks on top, 18-13. A pair of kills each from Payne and Riemersma helped maintain that lead as Miami eventually took a 25-21 win.

After a kill from sophomore outside hitter Gaby Harper, Payne scored four straight blocks, teaming up for three of them with Powell to put the Red and White up 5-2 in set two. Miami continued to hold around a four point advantage until another block from Payne and Powell sparked a 6-1 run that gave the RedHawks their largest lead of the set at 19-10. Virginia Tech did not give up, as they were able to get to within four points, but their service error allowed Miami to finish off a 25-20 victory.

The Hokies jumped to a 7-3 advantage to being set three. Kills from senior outside hitter Taylor Daignault, freshman outside hitter Lindsay Taylor and Payne, along with a service ace from junior setter Morgan Seaman were part of an 8-3 run that put Miami on top 11-10. Virginia Tech answered with a 9-3 run of its own to take control at 19-13. Despite two more kills from Daignault, the RedHawks were unable to get closer as the Hokies took a 25-18 win.

Seaman got set four off to a great start with two straight service aces. The first career kill from freshman outside hitter Allyson Severance, along with one from Daignault put the RedHawks in front, 5-2. VT would eventually go in front 11-10, but back-to-back kills from junior right side hitter Sarah Wojick and Riemersma put Miami ahead to stay. Riemersma had three more kills to help increase the advantage to 17-13. The Red and White eventually pulled away for a 25-17 victory and a 3-1 win in the match.

Daignault had seven kills for the RedHawks and led the team with 15 digs. Seaman had 26 assists, while sophomore setter Louise Comerford had 21. Miami hit .234 for the match and held Virginia Tech to a .164 attack percentage.

The RedHawks will conclude play at the Miami Best Western Sycamore Inn Invitational with two matches on Saturday. Miami will take on South Carolina Upstate at 1 p.m. It will then face Northwestern at 7 p.m. Both matches will air live on RedHawks All-Access for those who have a subscription.