NORFOLK, Va. — The Miami University volleyball team (3-0) defeated Norfolk State (2-1) in a four-set match (20-25, 25-14, 25-18, 25-11) on Saturday afternoon to win the Norfolk State Tournament.
Ava Francis,
Ana Vetter and
Chelsea Williams each recorded 10 kills to propel Miami's offensive efforts. Vetter also added five service aces to lead all players in the match.
Redshirt junior outside hitter Francis was named the Norfolk State Tournament MVP. She finished with 33 kills, an average of 3.30 per set, and also contributed four blocks. She was joined on the All-Tournament Team by redshirt sophomore libero
Anna McClure, who totaled 41 digs (4.10 per set) and added nine assists.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- Norfolk State started the first set with a 3-0 lead. A pair of kills from Raegan Lantz evened the score at 5-5. The score remained tied at 9-9 before the Spartans took a 14-10 advantage, but Miami did not give in. A couple of kills from Gentry Warrick and Chelsea Williams brought the RedHawks within two at 16-14. Despite Miami's late push, Norfolk State went on to close out the set 25-20.
- Three kills from the RedHawks and an attack error from the Spartans helped Miami to a 4-1 advantage to begin set two. Leading 5-4, the RedHawks caught fire as they went on to outscore the Spartans 8-1 to take control of the set at 13-5. Williams recorded three kills, and Ellie Hanson put down back-to-back service aces during that stretch. Norfolk State attempted to keep it tight at 14-11, but Miami found its rhythm once again, closing out the set with a 25-14 victory. Vetter had two consecutive service aces to end the set for Miami.
- Vetter continued to flash on offense, adding two more service aces to give Miami a 6-1 start in the third set. The Spartans would not be dettered, tying the set at 11 apiece halfway through the set. Close play continued through the end of the set until the RedHawks used numerous kills and services aces to finish off the Spartans 25-18.
- Hayden Hicks smacked three service aces to boost Miami to a 7-1 start in the fourth set. Williams substituted into the game and struck down a pair of kills to stretch the Miami lead to 15-5. The Red and White did not look back, taking the final set 25-11.
NOTES:
- Hanson (four) and Hicks (three) each tied their career-highs in service aces.
- Warrick led all RedHawks with five blocks.
- The Red and White produced 17 service aces total.
- Vetter set a career-high in kills and service aces.
UP NEXT:
The Red and White travel to the Dunn Hospitality Tournament (hosted by Evansville) on Sept. 6-7.
