KENT, Ohio—The Miami University volleyball team (7-20; 5-12 Mid-American Conference) dropped a four-set decision at Kent State University (11-18; 6-11 MAC) on Saturday afternoon at the M.A.C. Center, 19-25, 25-14, 24-26, 19-25.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- It was a tight first set with neither team holding more than a one-point edge until Kent State put together a 5-1 run to take a 17-13 lead. The Golden Flashes went on to take the opening set, 25-19.
- Miami jumped out to a fast 6-1 advantage, fueled by a trio of kills by senior Sophie Riemersma and a service ace from senior Jennifer Schulze. A 4-0 spurt that included a kill by senior Gaby Harper and a block by freshman Lydia Harper and sophomore Abby Stratford extended the RedHawk lead to 15-5. Miami continued to control the set and captured a 25-14 win off a Stratford kill.
- The RedHawks took a 7-5 lead in the third set, but the Golden Flashes turned the tables with a 5-1 run that gave KSU a 10-8 advantage. The Golden Flashes led by as many as six, including a 20-14 advantage, but Miami retaliated with a 9-2 surge that included a trio of kills by Riemersma and a Gaby Harper service ace to capture a 23-22 edge. A pair of late RedHawk miscues helped Kent State claim a very close third set, 26-24.
- KSU built an early 5-1 lead, but Miami persisted and knotted the fourth set, 16-16. That was as close as the RedHawks would get as the Golden Flashes collected a 25-19 win in the fourth set.
THOUGHTS FROM HEAD COACH CAROLYN CONDIT:
"Despite similar game stats, Kent State made more timely plays and stayed more in-system in Round 2. Inconsistent serving and passing impeded our momentum despite improved blocking and solid teamwork."
NOTES:
- Riemersma led Miami with 14 kills.
- Gaby Harper added 10 kills and 12 digs.
- Sophomore Taylor Nomanson also tallied 12 digs.
- Shulze notched 20 assists and seven digs.
- Stratford led Miami with five blocks.
UP NEXT:
Miami concludes its season at Bowling Green at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 17.
