Oct. 13, 2007

Box Score

OXFORD, Ohio -- Miami University's volleyball team had five players collect double-digit kills in a thrilling five-game victory over Central Michigan in Mid-American Conference action Saturday night. Miami (10-7; 7-1 MAC) improved its record to 4-2 in five-game matches this season, while Central Michigan (13-8; 3-5 MAC) dropped to 0-3 in five-game matches this season.

Three errors by the Chippewas and kills by senior middle hitter Carli Reihman and junior outside hitter Alex Ratcliff lifted Miami to a 6-1 advantage in game one. Central Michigan battled to tie the game at 12-12, and took its first lead of the game, 12-13, off a Lauren Krupsky kill. Four consecutive Chippewa attack errors put the RedHawks back in front, 17-13. A kill by freshman middle hitter Michele Metzler and another Chippewa attack error gave Miami its biggest lead of the game, 23-15. Trailing 24-18, Central Michigan went on a 9-0 run to take control of the game, 24-27. Down the stretch, Miami used three kills from its senior captain, Reihman, to tie the game at 30-30. Consecutive attack errors by Central Michigan gave Miami the hard fought 32-30 game-one win.

The Chippewas jumped out to a four-point lead, 6-10, in the second game thanks to four kills by Kate Fissel. Miami trailed by five points, 21-26, until two kills by Metzler, a kill by Ratcliff and two service aces by sophomore setter Andrea Atteberry ignited a seven-point rally to put the RedHawks up two points, 28-26. Central Michigan rebounded as Sarah Warner put down three consecutive kills leading the Chippewas to a 30-28 game-two win.

Two kills apiece by sophomore middle hitter Hallie Hanks and Reihman and two service aces by junior libero Melissa Zenz allowed the RedHawks to take a comfortable 12-4 lead in the third game. Miami kept the pressure on and took eight of the next 12 points giving the RedHawks a 20-8 lead. A kill by Ratcliff gave Miami its biggest lead of the game, 25-10, and Miami went on to win the third game, 30-17.

Central Michigan took control of game four as the Chippewas jumped out to a 10-4 lead. Miami battled back to tie the game at 15-15, but a six-point run by Central Michigan gave the Chippewas a 21-15 advantage. Miami closed within four points, 25-29, but Central Michigan took the fourth game, 30-25.

A balanced offensive attack put the RedHawks in front, 6-5, in the fifth and deciding game. Up 7-6, two consecutive errors gave the RedHawks a three-point cushion, 9-6. Central Michigan rallied to tie the game on two different occasions, with the last occurring at 14-14, but a kill through the Chippewa block by Griffin followed by a kill down the line by Reihman cemented a 16-14 game-five win.

Five RedHawk players tallied double-digit kills, led by Metzler's 15 kills. Hanks notched a season-high 14 kills for Miami, while Griffin and Ratcliff collected 12 apiece. Defensively, Zenz led the RedHawks with 17 digs and Metzler collected a career high seven block assists.

Fissel led Central Michigan with a match-best 28 kills, while Alexis Lonneman corralled a game-high 36 digs.

Miami takes its seven-match winning streak on the road as the RedHawks travel to Ball State for a 7 p.m. showdown on Friday, Oct. 19, before heading to Toledo for a 3 p.m. game on Saturday, Oct. 20.

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