Volleyball to Face North Carolina and Oakland this Weekend

Friday, September 13

Rochester, Mich.

6:00 p.m. ET

Miami University

North Carolina

Volleyball to Face North Carolina and Oakland this Weekend

9/12/2019 9:48:00 AM | Women's Volleyball

Match Notes - North Carolina and Oakland Live Stats (Both Matches)

ROCHESTER, Mich. - The Miami University volleyball team returns to the state of Michigan as it travels to the campus of Oakland University for a pair of matches this weekend. First up on Friday will be a neutral site contest against North Carolina at 6 p.m. The RedHawks then will take on the host Oakland Golden Grizzlies on Saturday at 4 p.m.

POWELL MAKING AN IMPACT: Playing middle hitter consistently for the first time since joining Miami, junior Avarie Powell has had a big impact for the RedHawks. She has put down 24 kills, an average of 1.26 per set. Her blocking has made a big difference for the defense. She leads the team with 17 blocks (one solo, 16 assisted), an average of 0.89 blocks per set.

HOMECOMING FOR DAUCH AND PAYNE: This weekend gives the opportunity for two senior RedHawks to play practically in their own backyards. Lindsay Dauch and Margaret Payne are each from Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, which is less than 10 miles from the Oakland campus.

INJURIES PROVIDE OPPORTUNITY: With various players out of the lineup at some point during the first six matches, there has been a lot of chances for everyone on the active roster to perform. Thirteen RedHawks already have at least one kill through six contests, while 14 have at least one dig.

OPPONENT PREVIEW

ABOUT NORTH CAROLINA: The Tar Heels are 1-4 on the season. They have played a very difficult schedule, opening the season with third-ranked Minnesota and fifth-ranked Wisconsin. Last weekend at the UC Irvine/adidas Invitational, they dropped a 0-3 decision to California and a 2-3 match to UNLV, but beat the host UC Irvine, 3-1. North Carolina is led by freshman outside hitter Parker Austin. She has 46 kills, an average of 2.88 kills per set.

SERIES WITH THE TAR HEELS: Miami holds a 3-2 lead in the all-time series with North Carolina. The teams last met on Sept. 17, 2011 at the Tar Heel Classic in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The RedHawks dropped a 0-3 (15-25, 13-25, 22-25) decision in that match. Amy Raseman led Miami with eight kills.

ABOUT OAKLAND: The Golden Grizzlies are 4-3 on the season. They went 2-1 last weekend at the CEFCU Bradley Invitational, defeating DePaul and Belmont, while falling to the host Bradley Braves. In their last match on Tuesday, they dropped a dramatic 2-3 match to Bowling Green in which no set was decided by more than four points. Oakland is led by junior middle hitter Jamie Walling. She has 113 kills, an average of 4.04 per set. Another key player is senior outside hitter Taylor Dellinger. She has 83 kills, an average of 3.61 per set.

SERIES WITH THE GOLDEN GRIZZLIES: Miami won the only meeting between the two schools, 3-1 (21-25, 25-11, 25-17, 25-15), last season at the RedHawk Invitational in Oxford on Sept. 14, 2018. After dropping the first set, the RedHawks put on a dominating performance to complete the comeback win. Gaby Harper finished with 11 kills for Miami, while Morgan Seaman had a double-double of 25 assists and 16 digs.