OXFORD, Ohio— The Miami University volleyball team opened its home schedule with a thrilling five-set win Friday night against Marshall at the Miami Best Western Invitational, 25-21, 21-25, 25-16, 20-25, 16-14.
Allyson Severance recorded a game-high 21 kills to lead the RedHawks (2-2), while
Hayden Hicks added a game-high 33 assists. Marshall falls to 2-3 on the year.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
In what was a hard-fought first set, Miami took an early advantage and led by as many as four twice (15-11 and 17-13). The initial four-point lead was sparked by a Severance kill and a key block from Hicks. The Herd would take their first lead of the game at 19-18. The RedHawks responded with a 7-3 spurt, winning the set 25-21.
The second set began with back-and-forth gameplay, as Miami took a 7-5 advantage on a pair of Severance kills. In a set featuring 12 ties, Marshall won the set 25-21 to even the match.
The Red and White got off to a hot start in the third set, pulling ahead 7-1 with the help of three
Abby Stratford kills and two more from
Maggie McCrary. Marshall got within three points early on at 7-4, but the RedHawks closed out the set and won 25-16.
In the fourth set, no team led by more than two points until the set reached a score of 15-12 in Marshall's favor. The Herd would go on to win the set, 25-20.
In the fifth set, a successful Miami replay challenge gave the RedHawks a 7-3 lead. Marshall came back to pull ahead 13-12, but back-to-back kills from Stratford and Severance gave the home team a dramatic 16-14 victory.
NOTES:
UP NEXT:
The RedHawks make a quick turnaround, taking on Bellarmine Saturday, Sept. 3 at 1 p.m. as the Miami Best Western Invitational continues at Millett Hall. Miami will close the invitational with a 7 p.m. match Saturday night against Middle Tennessee.
