Oct. 23, 2002

Box Score

OXFORD, Ohio-Sophomore outside hitter Angie Zent (Fort Wayne, Ind./Northrup) had a career night for the RedHawks with 22 kills 28 digs and three solo blocks. However, the RedHawks (7-14; 2-7 MAC) were edged in a five-game match by West Division leader Ball State (13-6; 8-0 MAC), 30-28, 25-30, 26-30, 30-25, 15-13.

Early in the first game, Miami took a 5-2 lead and maintained its edge until Ball State went on a 7-0 run to own a 26-23 lead. A kill by junior middle hitter Susan Poll (Grand Rapids, Mich./East Kentwood) and a service ace from freshman middle hitter Lindsey Sullenberger (Piqua, Ohio/Piqua) helped the RedHawks knot the game, 27-27. The two teams traded points to keep the game tied, 28-28. Senior middle hitter Jennifer Eaton (Cincinnati, Ohio/Ursuline Academy) pounded a critical kill to give the RedHawks a one-point lead and a bad set by BSU ended the first game with the RedHawks on top 30-28.

Again the RedHawks took an early lead, 6-3, but Ball State chipped away to take and 8-7 advantage. The RedHawks were able to regain the lead and post a 13-11 edge, but that was short lived as the Cardinals went on a 5-0 run to capture a lead they would not relinquish, and they went on to take the second game 30-25.

In the third game, it was Ball State who jumped out the early lead and maintained throughout, posting the 30-26 triumph. The RedHawks knotted the game, 8-8 on a service ace by Zent and then tied it up again, 9-9, off an Eaton kill, but that would be as close as the RedHawks would get.

Despite a 16-20 deficit in the fourth game, Miami persevered to send the match to a deciding game with a 30-25 win. The RedHawks tied the game, 23-23, with consecutive kills from Zent, but Ball State was able to regain its lead 25-23. Miami, however went on a 7-0 run to end the game. Poll spearheaded the late surge with a kill, a solo block and a block assist with sophomore outside hitter Tara Buroker (Bluffton, Ohio/Bluffton).

In the fifth game, Miami jumped out to a 6-3 lead and maintained its three-point advantage at 13-10. Ball State, however recorded the final five points to take the match 15-13. Zent posted an impressive four kills, one block and one assist in the deciding game.

In addition to Zent's career night, Buroker produced 18 kills and 28 digs, while Poll added 10 kills and six blocks (3 solo, 3 assist). The three solo blocks tie Poll's career-high. Eaton added 12 kills and seven blocks.

Miami returns to action when it hosts Marshall on Friday, Oct. 25 at 7 p.m.

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