HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. — The Miami University volleyball team (6-4) captured a three-set victory (25-17, 25-21, 25-19) over Xavier (2-8) on Friday evening in the Groen Family McDonald's Invitational (hosted by Northern Kentucky). Ava Francis led all players with 14 kills, and Sophie Crawford recorded 36 assists to lead each team. Gentry Warrick brought it on the defensive end for the RedHawks, totaling a match-high seven blocks.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Xavier jumped out to an early 7-3 lead at the start of the first set. A trio of kills from Ava Francis sparked a 6-0 run to help Miami jump ahead 9-7. Xavier trailed 13-10 when the RedHawks went on another scoring outburst, extending their lead to 18-11. A block from Crawford and Warrick forced a Musketeer timeout at 21-14. Warrick sealed the first set with a service ace to take a 25-17 win.
• The second set began with a service ace from Crawford. Francis continued to find her rhythm in the second set, knocking down a pair of kills to give Miami a 6-4 lead. The middle of the set consisted of back-and-forth action. A block from Chelsea Williams and a service ace from Ana Vetter propelled the RedHawks to a 17-14 lead. Xavier trailed 22-20 before Vetter recorded a kill and Margo Lawson served an ace to help secure the second set 25-21.
• Williams put down a flurry of kills in the third set to help Miami claim a 7-5 advantage. Xavier went on to tie the match on five different occasions, but Miami responded each time. In the end, the Musketeers came within three at 19-16 but did not come any closer, falling 25-17.

 
NOTES:

• Crawford and Warrick each recorded two service aces (match-high).
• Miami led the match in assists (40), digs (48), kills (41), service aces (seven) and total Blocks (11).

 
UP NEXT:
The RedHawks return to action at 4 p.m. Saturday in Highland Heights against Northern Kentucky.