Nov. 11, 2006

Box Score

KENT, Ohio--Miami University's volleyball team secured a first-round bye in the Mid-American Conference Tournament after defeating Kent State in three games (30-21, 30-27, 30-25) in its final conference match of the season. The RedHawks improved to 13-16 (9-7 MAC) while Kent State dropped to 13-15 (6-9 MAC).

Two service aces by junior outside hitter Jeanna Staun, a service ace by freshman middle hitter Hallie Hanks, and four kills by sophomore outside hitter Emily Schroeder catapulted Miami out to a 15-9 advantage in game one. Miami kept the pressure on as a kill by Staun and a block from junior middle hitter Carli Reihman and Hanks lifted Miami to a nine-point cushion at 22-13. Kent State crawled to within six at 21-27, but a kill and service ace by Schroeder led Miami to a 30-21 game-one victory. Schroeder hit a perfect seven-for-seven in the first game.

Game two was a battle from the beginning as neither team had a lead greater than two points until a kill by freshman middle hitter Megan Griffin and a Kent State attack error gave Miami a three-point lead at 20-17. Kent State got within one point at 26-27, but two Kent State miscues and a Schroeder kill cemented a 30-27 game-two win.

Miami jumped out to a three-point lead at 7-4 thanks to a kill and service ace by Schroeder. Kent State knotted the game five times until the Golden Flashes took a three-point lead at 19-16. Coming out of a timeout, Miami scored three-consecutive points off of two Schroeder kills and a block by Reihman and freshman setter Andrea Atteberry to square the game at 19-19. After trailing by three at 20-23, Miami rallied to take 10 of the next 12 points to secure a 30-25 game-three win.

Miami was led by Schroeder and Staun who posted 15 kills and 13 kills, respectively. Sophomore libero Melissa Zenz led the RedHawks with 15 digs.

Kent State was led by Vaiva Laniauskas and Sarah Wilber who notched nine kills apiece.

Miami will play on Friday, Nov. 17 against the winner of the No.5 Western Michigan/No.12 Akron match-up in the quarterfinals of the MAC Tournament. Match time is to be determined.

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