OXFORD, Ohio—Despite a hard-fought effort on Friday night in Millett Hall, the Miami University volleyball team (2-12; 0-4 Mid-American Conference) was nipped in a five-set match with the University of Akron (8-8; 2-2 MAC), 29-27, 25-18, 22-25, 14-25, 10-15.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:

• The first set was a very tight battle with both teams going toe-to-toe throughout the set. Junior Allyson Severance put down three kills down the stretch as the RedHawks persevered in a gritty 29-27 opening set win.
• Miami built a 14-6 lead with help from a trio of kills from senior Sophie Riemersma. The Zips climbed back to pull within three, 21-18, but kills by Riemersma, Severance and freshman Brooke Cirigliano down the stretch propelled Miami to a 25-18 win in the second set.
• In the third set, the RedHawks opened up a 6-2 lead in the early goings. The Zips used a 6-0 run to push ahead, 10-8. A kill from sophomore Maggie McCrary knotted the match at 17-17. After a 20-20 tie, Akron used a 5-2 spurt to take the third set, 25-22.
• After a freshman Margo Lawson service ace tied up the fourth set, 6-6, Akron rattled off four-straight points to take a 10-6 lead. Miami closed within one, 12-11, but the Zips went on to take the fourth set, 25-14.
• The RedHawks jumped out to a 4-1 lead in the fifth set, capped by a Severance solo block. The Zips came back to knot the set at 8-8, but Miami took 9-8 and 10-9 leads. Akron scored six unanswered to take the fifth set, 15-10.

 
NOTES:

• Harper led Miami with 16 kills.
• McCrary tallied a career-high 13 kills and hit a sizzling .750 for the match.
• Severance and Riemersma were the other two RedHawks in double figures for kills with 11.
• Lawson and Riemersma notched 12 digs each.

 
UP NEXT:
The RedHawks continue a four-match home stretch next weekend when they host Western Michigan at 7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 8.