LOUISVILLE, Ky.— The Miami University volleyball team (1-0) took down SIUE (0-1) in three sets to earn its first victory of the season on Friday morning at the Bellarmine Classic.
Chelsea Williams knocked down 15 kills, and
Hayden Hicks recorded 24 assists to lead all players in the match.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- SIUE began the opening set by scoring the first points off a kill. Williams responded by putting down a flurry of kills to give the RedHawks an early 6-2 lead. The Cougars closed within two points at 10-8 before Miami rattled off eight consecutive points to stretch its lead to 18-8. The gap proved to be too large, as the Red and White claimed a 25-12 first-set win. Williams finished the first set with a total of eight kills off 15 attempts with zero attack errors for a .553 hitting percentage.
- Four early kills gave the Red and White a 5-2 lead at the start of the second set. The Cougars went on to even the score at five apiece, and from there on out the set consisted of back-and-forth play until the RedHawks used a 4-0 run to push ahead 18-14. Lauren Coyne and Lydia Michelin ended the set by combining for a block to take a 25-19 win.
- SIUE commanded a 5-2 advantage in the beginning of the third set. Miami stayed resilient, as it went on to outscore the Cougars 8-1. Two service aces from Molly Creech and a solo block from Gentry Warrick highlighted the offensive barrage. The Cougars eventually tied the score at 11-11 midway through the set. With the end of the set approaching, Ellie Hanson smacked down two kills, and Michelin and Williams combined for a block to secure a 23-20 lead. The RedHawks went on to outlast the Cougars in the third set, 25-23.
NOTES:
- Lindsay Kahren (16) and Creech (14) led the RedHawks in digs.
- Coyne, Michelin and Warrick each put down a team-high three blocks.
- Creech, Coyne and Lindy Radaszewski each made their collegiate debut.
UP NEXT:
Miami returns to the court later today against tournament host Bellarmine at 7:30 p.m. The match will be aired on ESPN+.
