COLUMBUS, Ohio – After a tough match earlier in the day, the Miami University volleyball team rebounded in a big way with a 3-1 (28-30, 25-22, 25-17, 27-25) victory over Illinois State, a team that was receiving votes in the last AVCA Coaches' Poll, on Friday to conclude play at the Buckeye Invitational. The RedHawks complete non-conference play at 5-6, while the Redbirds fall to 7-4.

"We found our rhythm tonight against an impressive, well-coached team," said head coach Carolyn Condit. "We fought hard together, serving very well and making smart decisions on both sides of the ball."

Strong performances from Miami's middle hitters helped lead the way to the victory. Both senior Margaret Payne and junior Avarie Powell finished with 12 kills each. Powell had a team-high .409 attack percentage, while Payne was at .320 and also contributed a team-high six blocks.

Miami jumped to a 4-1 lead to begin set one as Illinois State had three attack errors, while senior middle hitter Margaret Payne and junior right side hitter Sarah Wojick teamed up for a block. The Redbirds fought back to take a 10-8 lead. After kills from Payne and sophomore outside hitter Gaby Harper were put down off assists from junior setter Morgan Seaman to tie the score at 10, a 5-2 run by ISU gave it a 15-12 advantage. The RedHawks answered with a 6-3 run to tie the score at 18. The teams recorded side outs the next 13 points, giving Illinois State set point at 24-23, but a kill from sophomore outside hitter Sophie Riemersma tied the score. Senior outside hitter Taylor Daignault got a service ace to give Miami set point, but the Redbirds scored next. Each team had two more chances to win the set before finding the score tied at 28. At that point Illinois State scored two in a row to take a 30-28 victory.

Riemersma had two kills, while Daignault and junior libero Abigail Huser each recorded a service ace as Miami took an 8-1 lead in set two. The Redbirds quickly fought back, going on an 11-2 answer to take a 12-10 advantage. After a kill from junior middle hitter Avarie Powell off an assist from sophomore setter Louise Comerford, and another kill from Payne, the score was tied at 13. ISU went on a 7-3 run to take control at 20-16. Kills from Powell and Wojick were part of five straight for the RedHawks that put them back in front. After Illinois State tied it up, another kill from Powell and a service ace by Wojick made it 23-21. That cushion allowed kills from Riemersma and Daignault to finish off a 25-22 win.

Wojick put down two kills as Miami scored the first six points of set three. Kills from Payne, Powell and Harper helped the 'Hawks increase the advantage to 10-3. Illinois State closed to within five at 10-15, but a block by Payne and Harper and a service ace by Comerford started a 5-2 run that gave them their largest lead at 20-12. That proved to be the final margin as Payne teamed up with Harper and Riemersma for back-to-back blocks to secure the 25-17 victory.

Set four was tight early before Illinois State pulled ahead to take a 10-7 lead. The RedHawks kept the score close before back-to-back kills from Payne and Harper, along with a service ace by Huser and another kill from Harper put Miami on top, 14-12. The Redbirds scored five in a row to take a 17-14 advantage. The RedHawks did not give up as kills from Wojick and Daignault were part of a 6-3 run that tied the score at 20. Eventually tied at 23, Miami had two match points that Illinois State was able to fight off. Tied at 25, a kill from Powell gave the 'Hawks their third chance. This time they were not denied as Powell and Daignault teamed up for a block to give Miami a 27-25 victory and a 3-1 win in the match.

Wojick finished with 10 kills for Miami, while Harper just missed a double-double with nine kills and 12 digs. Comerford had a double-double with 26 assists and 13 digs, as did Seaman with 19 assists and 10 digs. Five different RedHawks recorded double-digit digs, as Huser had a team-high 17, while Daignault with finished with 11.

Mid-American Conference play begins next weekend as Miami remains on the road. On Friday, Sept. 27, the RedHawks travel to Kent State for a 6 p.m. match. The next night on Saturday, Sept. 28, Miami takes on rival Ohio in the Battle of the Bricks in Athens at 5 p.m.