THIS WEEK: The Red and White continue conference play at home against Western Michigan on Thursday, Oct. 2 at 6:30 p.m. The RedHawks follow this up by taking on Northern Illinois on Friday, Oct. 3 at 6:30 p.m.
ABOUT WESTERN MICHIGAN: Western Michigan went 20-13 and held a 13-5 record in the MAC in 2024. The Broncos are currently 5-10 after most recently starting conference play 2-0 with victories over Eastern Michigan and Central Michigan. Western Michigan was chosen to finish fourth in the 2025 MAC Volleyball Coaches Poll. Senior middle blocker Mary Clare Brusek was named to the 2025 Preseason All-MAC Team. Heading into this week's matches, Leah Richmond ranks second in the MAC in assists per set (9.46) and Elana Erickson is first in digs per set (4.81). The Red and White are 27-42 when taking on the Broncos.
ABOUT NORTHERN ILLINOIS: Northern Illinois went 4-24 and held a 2-16 record in the MAC in 2024. The Huskies are currently 9-2 after most recently going 2-0 to open conference play. Northern Illinois was chosen to finish 11th in the 2025 MAC Volleyball Coaches Poll. Numerous Huskies lead the MAC offensively, as Autumn Flynn holds the 10th spot in hitting percentage (.274), Ava Grevengoed sits at 10th in kills per set (3.02), Ella Strausberger is 10th in assists per set (5.67) and Jordyn Tynsky ranks seventh in service aces per set (0.42). The Red and White are 24-29 when taking on the Huskies.
TELEVISION: Both matches that the RedHawks host this week can be watched on ESPN+.
UP NEXT: The RedHawks continue conference play by hosting Ball State on Tuesday, Oct. 7 at 6:30 p.m.
NUMBERS WATCH: Gentry Warrick is currently tied for sixth all-time in Miami history with 0.99 career blocks per set. She holds a total of 73 career solo blocks (sixth all-time in Miami history). Warrick also ranks fifth in the nation in total blocks (77) and 16th in blocks per set (1.48). Her 1.48 blocks per set leads the MAC currently. The Red and White stand at eighth in the country in team total blocks (140) as well. Senior
Hayden Hicks has recorded a total of 1,963 assists, and senior
Lindsay Kahren has 928 digs in her career.
RECENT ACTION: Last week, Miami took down Akron and Buffalo in a pair of away matches to start conference play 2-0 for the first time since the 2020 season. Offensively, sophomore middle hitter
Lydia Michelin recorded 2.38 kills per set while maintaining a .536 hitting percentage. Defensively, Michelin also added 1.00 blocks per set, as she put down six block assists and two solo blocks. Senior setter
Hayden Hicks and sophomore setter
Kamryn Utley also made a huge impact on the RedHawks' success. Hicks tallied 41 assists, nine digs, one block assist and one service ace over the two matches. Utley totaled 38 assists, 10 digs and two service aces. The two setters combined for 79 assists (9.9 per set) and helped Miami total 106 kills (13.25 per set) as well.
