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Volleyball Brief: MU chases conference title

By Ben Blanchard, For The Miami Student

The Miami University volleyball team looks to cap its season with a Mid-American Conference Tournament title and an NCAA Tournament appearance this weekend.

The RedHawks (20-9, 12-4 MAC) enter the tournament as the No. 4 seed, which earns them a first round bye.

MU faces the winner of Friday's match between No. 5 seed Western Michigan University (14-17, 10-6) and No. 8 seed Eastern Michigan University (14-15, 6-10).

Junior middle hitters Paige Hill and senior middle hitter Jenny Ingle lead the 'Hawks. Both were awarded spots on the All-MAC first team.

Ingle leads the MAC with a .481 hitting percentage in conference play, while Hill leads the RedHawks in kills with 280, averaging 2.64 per set.

Miami has won the championship six times, but has not won the title since 2007.

Last season, WMU stopped the RedHawks from the title after winning three straight sets in a 3-2 comeback victory.

MU avenged that loss last Saturday with a 3-2 win over the Broncos, but only a conference title can make the RedHawks forget last season's heartbreaking conclusion.

The tournament begins Friday night at the Convocation Center in Athens, Ohio.