FAMILY WEEKEND: The RedHawks continue conference play by taking on Toledo this Thursday, Oct. 5 at 7 p.m. and follow up with another match against Ball State on Friday, Oct. 6 at 7 p.m. Each match will take place at Millett Hall and can be streamed on ESPN+.
ABOUT TOLEDO: Toledo holds a 5-10 record, after most recently going 1-1 in a pair of matches against Central Michigan. They are led by head coach John Oliver who is in his sixth year at the head of the program. The Rockets finished 19-13 (11-7 MAC) in 2022. Taylor Alt currently leads the Toledo attack with 3.76 kills per set (218 total kills) and Macy Hatkevich is leading all Rockets with 7.26 assists per set (305 total assists). Defensively, Ryann Jaqua has averaged a team-high 4.91 digs per set (285 total digs) and Emily Honzelka has recorded the most blocks per set with 1.03 (50 blocks total).
ABOUT BALL STATE: Ball State is currently 7-8 after going 2-0 over the weekend against Eastern Michigan. They are led by head coach Kelli Miller Phillips who is in her eighth year with the program. Coach Miller Phillips previously spent time as an assistant coach with Ball State before accepting the head coach position. The Cardinals finished 24-9 (15-3 MAC) in 2022. Aniya Kennedy currently leads the Cardinal attack with 3.37 kills per set (155 total kills) and Megan Wielonski is leading all Cardinals with 9.77 assists per set (508 total assists). Defensively, Crew Hoffmeier has averaged a team-high 4.21 digs per set (219 total digs) and Madison Buckley has recorded the most blocks with 0.96 per set (50 blocks total).
OPPONENT HISTORY: Miami and Toledo first clashed in 1977. This Thursday will mark the 60th meeting between the RedHawks and Rockets. Miami holds a 29-2 home record, 15-10 away record and 2-1 neutral record when facing Toledo. The last time the Red and White defeated Toledo was on Oct. 29, 2021 in a 3-1 match. The RedHawks took on Ball State for the first time in 1974. This Friday will mark the 85th overall meeting. Miami holds a 19-16 home record, 16-22 away record and 5-6 neutral record when facing the Cardinals. The last time the Red and White defeated Ball State was on Mar. 23, 2021 in a 3-2 match.
TELEVISION: Each match will be available to watch on ESPN+. Thursday's match against Toledo can be found here and Friday's match versus Ball State can be watched here.
UP NEXT: The RedHawks hit the road to take on conference opponent Kent State Friday, Oct. 13 at 6 p.m. and Saturday, Oct. 14 at 4 p.m.
MAC LEADERS: Four RedHawks rank among MAC statistical leaders. Senior Maggie McCrary currently sits at fourth in hitting percentage (.337). She has recorded 73 total kills in 51 sets played. In addition, sophomore Gentry Warrick ranks eighth in hitting percentage (.309). Warrick has also flashed on the defensive end for the RedHawks, as she ranks 10th in blocks per set (0.87). Sophomore Ellie Hanson finds herself at tenth in service aces per set (0.35). Sophomore Hayden Hicks has been a key facilitator for Miami, as she ranks tenth in assists per set (6.63).
YOUTH MOVEMENT: This season sophomore Ellie Hanson has led the offensive charge, lead the team with 193 total points (169 kills total). She also ranks first on the team in digs with 167 total through 57 sets played. In the first three weeks of play, Hanson made the all-tournament team in the Tiger Brawl, Miami Invitational and Redbird Classic. Sophomore Hayden Hicks notched a career-high 54 assists against Cleveland State in the Miami Invitational and was named to the all-tournament in the Tiger Brawl. Freshman Chelsea Williams is first on the team with with 3.02 kills per set (163 kills total). She was named to the all-tournament team in the Purdue Fort Wayne Invitational.
GREAT RETURNS: Of its 15-player roster, Miami returns 12 RedHawks from the 2022 roster. Seniors Maggie McCrary and Taylor Nomanson lead a solid veteran group. They are joined by juniors Caroline Cermack, Brooke Cirigliano, Margo Lawson and Gracie Norris. The sophomore class is comprised of Ellie Hanson, Hayden Hicks, Emily Morgan and Gentry Warrick. Also returning is redshirt-sophomore Brooke Jackson and redshirt-freshman Amyah Cooper.
FRESH FACES: Miami boasts three newcomers on its 2023 roster, who will look to make their impact this season. The talented group of newcomers are Raegan Lantz, Breannah Peterson and Chelsea Williams.
THE BROOKE JACKSON STORY: Brooke Jackson has always been competitive. It's easy for fans to see that in a Miami Volleyball match. It's simple for Jackson's teammates and coaches to observe that in a RedHawks practice at Millett Hall. But it's hardly a new development. Check out the new Front Row Feature here!
ECLIPSING 750 CAREER WINS: With a 3-0 win versus Buffalo on Jan. 22, 2021, Miami head coach Carolyn Condit posted her 750th career win. Condit owns a 780-614 career record in her 44th season as a head coach. Owning more victories than any coach in any sport in the history of Miami's storied athletic department, known as the Cradle of Coaches, Condit holds a 681-536 record and is in her 40th season in charge of the Red and White. Condit is the only volleyball coach in the history of the Mid-American Conference to win more than 300 league matches, holding a conference mark of 375-247.
MIAMI BY THE NUMBERS
900 All-Time Wins
681 Head Coach Carolyn Condit Miami Wins Most by any Miami Coach in any sport
400 All-Time MAC Wins
14 NCAA/NIVC Postseason Appearances
12 Regular-Season MAC Titles
12 RedHawk Returners
12 Consecutive AVCA Academic Awards
7 MAC Tournament Titles
3 RedHawk Newcomers
4 Head Coaches All-Time
