OXFORD, Ohio – The Miami University volleyball team captured the first set against Northwestern in the championship match of the Miami Best Western Sycamore Invitational, but ultimately dropped a 1-3 (26-24, 16-25, 20-25, 23-25) decision to the Wildcats. The RedHawks are now 2-1 on the season, while Northwestern improves to 3-0.

After the match, senior middle hitter Margaret Payne and junior setter Morgan Seaman were each named to the All-Tournament Team. Payne led the RedHawks with 13 kills against Northwestern and had 31 kills over the weekend. Seaman set well in all three matches, finishing with 58 assist and 11 digs.

Kills from Payne and junior middle hitter Avarie Powell helped Miami open up a 6-2 lead to begin set one. The Wildcats tied the score at 10, but kills from Payne and senior outside hitter Taylor Daignault, along with a block by Powell and junior right side hitter Sarah Wojick put the RedHawks on top, 14-11. After trading some side outs, a kill from sophomore outside hitter Gaby Harper and a service ace by Wojick started a 6-2 run that gave Miami its largest lead at 20-14. Northwestern answered with a 9-3 run to tie the score at 23. A kill from freshman outside hitter Allyson Severance off an assist from sophomore setter Louise Comerford gave the 'Hawks set point, but the Wildcats fought it off. Harper then put back-to-back kills down to give Miami a 26-24 win.

The teams traded points to open set two. Tied at eight, a 4-1 Northwestern lead put it on top, 12-9. A kill from Harper helped pull Miami within one at 12-13, but the Wildcats scored eight in a row to take control at 21-12. Powell was able to get a couple of blocks, but Northwestern finished off a 25-16 victory.

Northwestern jumped to an 8-3 lead to begin set three. A 5-1 run by the RedHawks featuring kills from Harper, Wojick and sophomore outside hitter Sophie Riemersma cut the deficit to one at 8-9. Northwestern responded with a 7-2 run to take control at 16-10. Two kills from Wojick and a service ace by Daignault got Miami as close as three points at 14-17, but the Red and White could not get any closer as the Wildcats took a 25-20 win.

Despite three kills from freshman outside hitter Lindsay Taylor, Miami trailed 5-6 to begin set four. Payne put down two kills and Riemersma had one off an assist from Seaman to put the 'Hawks on top, 9-8. Northwestern built a 14-10 lead, but Miami fought back to eventually tie the score at 19. The teams traded points until the score was tied at 22. The RedHawks appeared to take the lead on the next point, but a replay reversal gave it to the Wildcats. Trailing 22-24, a kill from Payne fought off one match point before a block gave Northwestern a 25-23 win and a 3-1 victory in the match.

Harper put down nine kills, while Riemersma had eight. Comerford finished with a double-double of 21 assists and 10 digs. Daignault led the RedHawks with 14 digs.

Miami returns to action Tuesday when it hosts Dayton at 7 p.m. The match will air live on ESPN+.