Sept. 1, 2007

Box Score| Video Recap 

RedHawks Tame Panthers in Miami Classic Finale

Andrea Atteberry and Emily Schroeder earn All-Tournament accolades

OXFORD, Ohio - Miami University's volleyball team turned in a stellar performance to defeat the Pittsburgh Panthers in the finale of the Miami Best Western / Sycamore Inn Classic Saturday night. Miami (2-3) finished the tournament in second place with a 2-1 record, while Pittsburgh (1-5) finished the tournament in third place with a 1-2 record.

Two kills by freshman middle hitter Michele Metzler and three kills by junior outside hitter Alex Ratcliff helped the RedHawks take a 10-6 lead in game one. After Pittsburgh closed within three points, 15-18, two Panther errors and a kill by senior outside hitter Jeanna Staun pushed the RedHawks to a 21-15 lead. Two kills down the stretch from senior middle hitter Carli Reihman iced the game and gave the RedHawks a 30-22 win.

Three kills by Diana Andeyko and three consecutive RedHawk errors put Miami in a five-point hole, 7-12, in game two. Pittsburgh kept the pressure on and built a nine-point advantage, 22-13. The nine-point deficit remained throughout the rest of the game as the Panthers took game two 30-21.

Miami regained its form from game one and jumped on the Panthers early taking on an 8-4 lead in game three. Miami's lead reached five points, 15-10, off a kill by Ratcliff. Pittsburgh slowly crept back into the game and tied the game at 24-24. Miami responded as a service ace from Reihman and two kills by junior outside hitter Emily Schroeder pushed the lead to 28-24. The four-point lead held as the RedHawks won game two 30-26.

Down two games to one, Pittsburgh looked poised to take game four jumping out to a six-point lead, 13-7. Two kills by Schroeder and a kill apiece from Ratcliff and sophomore middle hitter Megan Griffin ignited the crowd and closed the gap to 12-13. Miami tied the game at 18-18 and finally took a two-point advantage at 26-24. Pittsburgh retaliated with a four-point rally taking a 28-26 lead. After a Pittsburgh service error, junior libero Melissa Zenz hit a perfect serve at the intersection of the 10-foot line and the right sideline tying the game at 28-28. A kill by Reihman put the RedHawks up 29-28 and a Panther attack error gave Miami a 30-28 game-four win.

Ratcliff paced the RedHawks with a season-high 18 kills, while Reihman put together a solid all-around performance with 13 kills, seven digs, and eight block assists.

Andreyko led the Panthers with 16 kills and Michelle Rossi had a match-high 18 digs.

Miami heads on the road for the Hilton Classic in Fort Collins, Colo. Sept. 7-8. Miami opens with tournament host Colorado State at 7 p.m. (MT) Friday, Sept. 7, before facing Winthrop at 11 a.m (MT) and Colorado at 5 p.m. (MT) on Saturday, Sept. 8.

Michigan won the tournament with a record of 3-0 and Sarah Draves from Michigan earned Most Valuable Player accolades. The following players also earned Miami Best Western / Sycamore Inn Classic All-Tournament honors:

Miami - Emily Schroeder

Miami - Andrea Atteberry

Michigan - Stesha Selsky

Michigan - Beth Karpiak

Pittsburgh - Jessica Moses

Wake Forest - Jessica Furlong