Oct. 31, 2001
MUNCIE, Ind. - Despite having just seven healthy players, Miami University's volleyball team put forth a valiant effort in a three game loss at West Division co-leader Ball State (16-6, 12-2 Mid-American Conference). The RedHawks fall to 10-9 overall and 7-5 in the MAC.
Trailing in the early stages of the first game, Miami battled back to post five straight points off two Jennifer Eaton kills an Eaton and Kelly McCullough block and a then a solo block by McCullough to notch a 13-11 edge. Miami's lead, however, was short-lived. The Cardinals pulled out to a 28-18 lead, but the RedHawks managed a mini-rally toward the end of the set. A pair of kills by Karr, a BSU attack error and a service ace by Melinda McCormick pulled the Red and White to within six, 22-28. Consecutive kills by the Cardinals iced the game for Ball State, 30-22.
The Cardinals jumped out to a quick 7-2 advantage in the second stanza. Miami chipped away at the Ball State lead, and pulled within one, 11-12, off McCullough/Eaton block. Ball State pulled away to take its largest lead of the game, 24-17. Kills by McCullough and Susan Poll helped the RedHawks to close the gap to three, 24-27, but was unable to get any closer as Ball State went on to take the second game, 30-25.
Contrary to the previous two games, Miami jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead off a block by Poll and Jessica Rayburg and a Ball State attack error. Miami extended its lead to 4-4 off kills by Eaton and Poll. The Cardinals knotted the game, 4-4, and the two teams went back and forth until BSU took a10-7 lead. A big solo block by McCullough made the scored 14-19. Kills by McCullough, Rayburg and Poll pulled the RedHawks to within four, 18-22, but Ball State outscored Miami 8-3 down the stretch to capture the 30-21 win.
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Poll and McCullough led the RedHawks with eight kills apiece. McCullough also notched a team-best 14 digs and four blocks (two solo, two assist).
Miami travels to East Division leader Akron for a 7:30 p.m. battle on Friday and hosts Kent State at 7 p.m. on Saturday.
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