THIS WEEK: The RedHawks begin conference play against Western Michigan this Thursday, Sept. 21 at 7 p.m. and Friday, Sept. 22 at 7 p.m. Each match will take place at Millett Hall and can be streamed on ESPN+.
MATCHUP HISTORY: Miami and Western Michigan first clashed in 1980. This Thursday will mark the 66 meeting between the RedHawks and Broncos. Miami holds a 15-15 home record, 8-17 away record and 4-6 neutral record when facing the Broncos. The last time Miami defeated Western Michigan was on Feb. 18, 2021 in a 3-1 match.
PURDUE FORT WAYNE INVITATIONAL: The Red and White most recently went 1-2 at the Purdue Fort Wayne Invitational. The competition consisted of SIUE, Purdue Fort Wayne and Valparaiso. Miami fell to SIUE 3-1, defeated Purdue Fort Wayne 3-1, and dropped its final match to Valparaiso 3-0. Freshman Chelsea Williams was named to the all-tournament team after putting up 36 kills, 20 digs, seven blocks, three assists and two service aces.
ABOUT WESTERN MICHIGAN: Western Michigan holds a 10-2 record, after most recently going 1-1 in a pair of matches at the Alyssa Cavanaugh Classic. They are led by head coach Colleen Munson who is in year 19 at the helm of the program. The Broncos finished 17-13 (9-9 MAC) in 2022. Kenoa Salesman currently leads the Broncos attack with 3.81 kills per set (160 total kills) and Logan Case is leading all Broncos with 11.36 assists per set (511 total assists). Defensively, Andelyn Simkins has averaged a team-high 4.44 digs per set (200 total digs) and Anna Colcagna has recorded the most blocks with 0.80 per set (31 blocks total).
STRONG START: Four RedHawks rank among MAC statistical leaders. Senior Maggie McCrary currently sits at third in hitting percentage (.377). At this point in the season she has recorded 55 total kills in 37 sets played. Gentry Warrick has shown up on defensive end for the RedHawks, as she ranks third in blocks with 1.03 per set. Ellie Hanson ranks eighth in kills with 3.28 kills per set (141 kills total). She also finds herself at seventh in service aces with 0.44 per set (19 total). Hayden Hicks has been a key facilitator for Miami and ranks ninth with 6.88 assists per set (296 total).
YOUTH MOVEMENT: This season sophomore Ellie Hanson has led the offensive charge, recording 164 total points. She also ranks first on the team in digs with a total of 123 (2.86 per set). 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 second on the team with 118 kills (2.95 per set) and was named to the all-tournament team in the Purdue Fort Wayne Invitational.
TELEVISION: Each match will be available to watch on ESPN+.
UP NEXT: The RedHawks continue conference play at Northern Illinois Sept. 29-30.
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!
FOUR DECADES OF SUCCESS: Coach Carolyn Condit has won 681 games (and counting) over her 40 years at the helm of Miami Volleyball. A Front Row Feature on MiamiRedHawks.com profiles Coach Condit, some of her favorite memories from her career, and what has gone into her successful run as coach of the Red and White. Check out the story 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
