OXFORD, Ohio—In the opening match of the Miami/Best Western Invitational, the Miami University volleyball team (2-5) dropped a hard-fought four-set match to Evansville University (7-0) on Friday evening in Millett Hall, 25-16, 15-25, 21-25, 20-25.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:

• The first set was pretty evenly matched throughout most of the stanza. After the Purple Aces pulled within 15-14, Miami hammered out a 10-2 surge that included a pair of sophomore Taylor Nomanson service aces to seize the first set, 25-16. Miami hit an impressive .429 for the set.
• The second set was a back-and-forth battle early on. A senior Gaby Harper service ace handed Miami an 11-9 advantage, but the Purple Aces used a 10-1 run to claim a 19-12 lead and did not look back as they took the second set, 25-15.
• Evansville opened up a 16-7 lead in the third set. As the RedHawks clawed their way back, a 7-0 run that was capped by a trio of senior Sophie Riemersma kills knotted the set, 20-20. Evansville outscored Miami 5-1 down the stretch to take the third set, 25-21.
• A Gaby Harper service ace handed Miami a 17-14 advantage in the fourth set, but the Aces retaliated with a 7-1 run to notch a 21-18 advantage and a lead they would not relinquish, winning the fourth set, 25-20.

 
NOTES:

• Gaby Harper led the RedHawks with 10 kills, 14 digs and two service aces.
• Freshman Lydia Harper notched a team-leading 19 assists.
• Sophomore Maggie McCrary added a team-best four blocks.

 
UP NEXT:
Miami rounds out the Miami/Best Western Invitational hosting Northern Kentucky at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 11.