Oct. 2, 2007

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DEJA VU: Heading into last weekend, No. 17 Ohio had won 52 consecutive Mid-American Conference regular-season matches, 64 consecutive MAC matches including the MAC Tournament and 47 consecutive home matches dating back to Sept. 28, 2002. Five years to the date of Ohio's last home loss, Miami snapped all of those streaks with a four-game win over the Bobcats. The win marked the first time the RedHawks defeated a Top 20 team in program history.

STAUN REACHES CAREER MILESTONE: With seven kills in Miami's win over Kent State, senior outside hitter Jeanna Staun became the 16th Miami player to reach 1,000 kills for her career. Staun came into the weekend 17 kills shy of 1,000 and recorded 14 kills against Ohio and seven kills against Kent State to up her career total to 1,004 kills.

MAC HONORS: After two solid all-around performances last weekend, senior middle hitter Carli Reihman earned MAC East Division Player of the Week honors on Oct. 1. Reihman posted nine kills, four service aces, four digs and six blocks against the nationally-ranked Bobcats. Reihman followed that with 11 kills, while hitting a team-best .455, against Kent State. For the weekend, Reihman averaged 2.86 kpg, 1.43 dpg, 1.00 sa/g and 1.00 bpg.

WEEKEND IN REVIEW: Miami came out of last weekend's matches with two big wins over MAC East Division opponents, including No. 17 Ohio. After dropping game one versus Ohio, Miami looked like they were going to lose game two, trailing 25-28. Two kills by senior outside hitter Jeanna Staun, a kill by freshman middle hitter Michele Metzler and a kill by senior outside hitter Alex Ratcliff tied the game, 29-29. Another kill by Metzler and an Ohio attack error sent the RedHawks into the locker room tied at one game apiece. Miami pulled out a two-point victory in game three, 30-28, and held a five-point lead in game four, 17-12. Ohio cut the Miami lead to one point on eight different occassions, but Miami would not relinquish the lead as a kill by sophomore middle hitter Megan Griffin clinched the 3-1 win and Miami's first win over a Top 20 program. After the win over the nationally-ranked Bobcats, Miami traveled to Kent, Ohio, to face MAC East Division leader Kent State. Miami took game one 30-25, but found itself in danger as the Golden Flashes held game point, 29-27, in game two. A kill by senior middle hitter Carli Reihman followed by a Kent State attack error evened the game at 29-29. A kill by Ratcliff and another attack error gave Miami the come-from-behind 31-29 win in game two. Miami jumped out to a 5-0 lead in game three and never looked back as the RedHawks won game three, 30-26.

MIAMI EARNS VOTES IN AVCA POLL: In the Oct. 1 release of the AVCA Coaches Poll, Miami found itself receiving four total points in the poll and making its first appearance on the poll this season. Miami has played three teams who are nationally ranked this season (No. 16 Michigan, No. 21 Ohio and No. 25 Colorado State), and the RedHawks host No. 21 Ohio on Nov. 3 and No. 15 Dayton on Nov. 24.

FRESH STARTS: Three of Miami's newcomers have seen significant playing time in their first collegiate season. Freshman middle hitter Michele Metzler has played in all 13 matches for the RedHawks this season, starting 11 of those matches. Metzler averages 2.10 kpg, and currently ranks fourth in the MAC in hitting percentage (.317). After playing in just one game before the Hilton Classic in Fort Collins, Colo., freshman setter Michelle Mangia earned her first start versus Winthrop on Sept. 8 and started the next two matches versus Colorado and Morehead State. Mangia had a season-high 45 assists against Winthrop and added six kills, eight digs and two block assists. Freshman libero Jillian Johns earned the first start of her career at Morehead State on Tuesday, Sept. 12. Johns has played in five matches this season and averages 0.91 dpg.

MAC-ing it: Through Oct. 1, Miami has six players who rank among Mid-American Conference statistical leaders in overall matches played and conference matches:

Andrea Atteberry -- Assists; 11.25/12.59 (5th/2nd MAC)

Michele Metzler -- Hitting Percentage; .317/.297 (4th/8th MAC)

Megan Griffin -- Hitting Percentage; .337 (6th MAC)

Jeanna Staun -- Hitting Percentage; .280 (10th MAC)

Melissa Zenz -- Digs; 4.14/4.40 (10th/8th MAC)

Emily Schroeder -- Blocks; 1.20 (8th MAC)

ABOUT THE ZIPS: Akron heads into this weekend with a 9-8 overall record and a 1-3 Mid-American Conference record. The Zips were on the road last weekend and dropped a four-game match at Buffalo on Friday before rebounding with a four-game win over Toledo on Saturday. Akron's win over Toledo snapped a six-match losing streak. The Zips have four players averaging over two kills per game led by Brionna Patterson, who averages 3.87 kpg. Jennifer Stewart anchors the Akron defense, averaging 5.00 digs per game, while Jess Antosz averages 1.25 blocks per game.

THE SERIES WITH AKRON: The RedHawks have won five consecutive matches over the Zips and hold a 25-11 edge in the all-time series. Two of Miami's last five wins have come in Millett Hall, yet Akron's last win in the series was in Oxford on Oct. 8, 2004. Miami owns a 15-4 record at home against Akron.

ABOUT THE BULLS: Buffalo went 1-1 last weekend as it split its matches by defeating Akron in four games on Friday, Sept. 28, and falling to Ball State in three games on Saturday, Sept. 29. The win over Akron broke a 12-match losing streak for the Bulls. Buffalo heads to Oxford in search of its first road win of the season. Richelle Bigelow leads the Bulls' offensive attack averaging 2.43 kpg, while Lizaiha Garcia leads Buffalo averaging 4.00 dpg.

THE SERIES WITH BUFFALO: Miami possesses a 14-2 lead in the all-time series versus the Bulls, including five consecutive wins. Miami is 7-1 when playing Buffalo in Oxford and the Bulls' last win at Millett Hall was Oct. 3, 2003. Buffalo's two wins in the series have both come in five-game matches.

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