YPSILANTI, Mich.—An inspired 30-28 win in the second set sparked the Miami University volleyball team (3-15; 1-6 Mid-American Conference) in a four-set win at Eastern Michigan University (7-11; 2-5 MAC) on Thursday night in the Convocation Center, 17-25, 30-28, 25-16, 25-18.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- Miami collected the first two points of the first set, but the Eagles used a 4-0 spurt to forge ahead and did not look back, taking the opening stanza, 25-17.
- EMU opened up an 11-6 lead in the second set. Miami powered ahead off an 8-1 flurry that was fueled by three senior Gaby Harper kills and a service ace to take a 19-16 lead. The Eagles came back to take a 21-20 edge and the teams traded punches until a kill by senior Sophie Riemersma and a kill from freshman Lydia Harper handed the RedHawks a 30-28 win in the second set.
- The Eagles jumped out to a 9-3 lead in the third set. Miami used an 8-1 run that included three kills from Riemersma to take an 11-10 edge. The RedHawks built a 21-12 lead off a 10-2 run and went on to collect the third set, 25-16.
- The fourth set was a tight battle with neither team leading by more than two until a 6-1 surge that included three Riemersma kills handed Miami a 21-16 advantage. The Eagles pulled within 22-18, but kills from junior Lindsay Taylor and Lydia Harper along with a block by Lydia Harper and freshman Brooke Cirigliano iced the match for the RedHawks with a 25-18 set four win.
THOUGHTS FROM HEAD COACH CAROLYN CONDIT:
"This performance showed us that we are starting to come together on both sides of the ball. Sophie, Gaby and Lindsay shared the accomplishment of double-digit kills, constantly challenging Eastern Michigan's defense. This points to Lydia's setting accuracy and ability to make her outside and middle hitters successful. Our resilience, ball control and improved serving inspired the post-match Miami Fight Song with our fans!"
NOTES:
- Riemersma led Miami with 19 kills and added 10 digs, while Gaby Harper posted 15 kills and 17 digs.
- Taylor added 13 kills and 13 digs, while sophomore Taylor Nomanson notched 17 digs and two service aces.
- Lydia Harper tallied 49 assists, 16 digs and four blocks, and Cirigliano posted seven kills and four blocks.
- Freshman Caroline Cermack saw the first action of her Miami career, playing in two sets for the Red and White.
UP NEXT:
Miami rounds out a two-match series at Eastern Michigan with a 4 p.m. contest on Friday, Oct. 14. The match will be aired on ESPN3.
