Nov. 15, 2002
OXFORD, Ohio-Behind an eight-service ace performance, Miami University's volleyball team toppled Western Michigan University on Friday night to earn its first win in five matches. After a spirited 40-38 win in the first game, the RedHawks produced 30-19 and 30-27 wins. Miami ups its record to 9-18 overall and 4-11 in Mid-American Conference play, while the Broncos fall to 12-16 overall and 6-9 in the MAC.
Spurred by a pair of blocks from senior middle hitter Jennifer Eaton (Cincinnati, Ohio/Ursuline Academy) and senior outside hitter Kelly McCullough (Hudson, Ohio/Hudson) and a service ace by sophomore outside hitter Tara Buroker (Bluffton, Ohio/Bluffton), Miami jumped out to an early 9-0 lead. The RedHawks led by as many as 10 on three occasions, but the Broncos chipped away at the RedHawk lead to pull within two, 24-22. Back-to-back service aces by Eaton and a kill from McCullough extended Miami's lead to 27-22, and eventually the RedHawks were at game point, 29-26. However, the Broncos persevered to knot things, 29-29, and the two teams went back and forth until Miami was able to seize the 40-38 win off a McCullough kill and a Bronco ball handling error.
In the second game, a block by Eaton and sophomore outside hitter Angie Zent (Fort Wayne, Ind./Northrup) handed the RedHawks a 3-2 edge and a lead they would not relinquish. A 9-2 run by the RedHawks, highlighted by a pair of kills from junior middle hitter Susan Poll (Grand Rapids, Mich./East Kentwood) and a service ace by freshman outside hitter Kristen Walters (Springfield, Ohio/Shawnee), upped the RedHawk lead to 21-12. From there Miami went on to claim the 30-19 game two win.
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The RedHawks again jumped out to a quick 5-1 edge in the third game off kills from Buroker, Poll and Zent. WMU came back to tie the game, 13-13, but a kill and service ace by McCullough helped Miami regain its lead, 17-14. Again the Broncos battled back and were able to take a one-point lead, 22-21, but that was short lived as the RedHawks went on a four-point surge to post a 25-22 lead. WMU was able to close the gap to one, 27-26, but kills by Buroker and Walters iced the match as Miami took the third game, 30-27.
McCullough paced the RedHawks with 13 kills, nine digs and five blocks, while Zent added 11 kills. Eaton posted a match-best six blocks and three service aces, while Buroker notched a match-high 11 digs, nine kills and two service aces.
Miami plays its final home contest of the 2002 campaign Saturday night, hosting Central Michigan at 7 p.m. The RedHawks will honor their two seniors: Eaton and McCullough.
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