The Miami University women's volleyball team entered the MAC Tournament this weekend at Toledo with the No. 3 seed. After receiving a first-round bye, the RedHawks took care of business against Bowling Green in the quarterfinals but fell in straight sets to a tough Western Michigan squad Saturday night. The 'Hawks close up their season with a match at Cincinnati next weekend.
Game one against Bowling Green Friday night was a back-and-forth set that saw many lead changes throughout. Bowling Green jumped out to an early lead, but a Michelle Meltzer block started a 10-4 Miami run that gave the Red and White the lead. Bowling Green battled back, but kills from seniors Hallie Hanks and Megan Griffin gave the RedHawks a first set, 25-22 victory.
In game two, the Falcons took an early lead again, only to see the RedHawks climb back with an 8-2 run sparked by two Maria Leahy kills. Bowling Green retook the lead after the 'Hawks tied the score at 16, but Hanks brought the RedHawks back, tying the score at 22 with back-to-back kills. The RedHawks won three out of the next four points, ending the game on a block by Hanks and Griffin.
Game three saw many lead changes as well, but the Red and White took the most important one after going up 21-20. Andrea Atteberry had a service ace, and Michelle Meltzer had two kills and a block in the final five points to give the RedHawks the game and the match, 25-20. Meltzer finished the match with eight kills and seven blocks, while senior outsides Leahy and Hanks each added eight kills apiece. Leahy led the team with 20 digs, and Atteberry recorded 30 assists.
After the victory over Bowling Green Friday night, the RedHawks (No. 3) took on the second-seeded Western Michigan Broncos Saturday. In game one, the Red and White took an early 5-4 lead, but the Broncos went on a 10-3 run and did not look back. The RedHawks were able to cut the score to 17-14, but Western Michigan finished off game one, winning 25-19.
Game two saw the score tied at seven early, but another Western Michigan run saw the Broncos take a 16-12 advantage. Kills by Amy Raseman and Christina Menche pulled the RedHawks within one at 18-17, but the Broncos rallied off the next four points to stretch the lead to five. Miami fought back again, but lost set two 25-22.
Game three saw the Broncos jump ahead early 10-6. They continued to increase their lead to 22-13 before the RedHawks won four out of five points on kills by outsides Raseman and Leahy, but the Broncos stopped the 'Hawk run and closed out the match, winning 25-17.
Junior middle hitter Meltzer led the team with eight kills. Atteberry added 27 assists and recorded 11 digs for the RedHawks. Freshman Lisa Treadway led the Red and White with 17 digs.
"The team was excited to play, no anxiety and we fought hard," Atteberry said. "Everyone was there to win even when we were down two games to Western Michigan we played for every point. We didn't crumble, Western was picking up everything and unfortunately put down more balls than we did."
The RedHawks close out the season at 2 p.m. Saturday at the University of Cincinnati.
"I'm looking forward to senior teammate and friend Megan Griffin getting her 1,000th kill and having one last chance to compete with my best friends," Leahy said.
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The MAC announced all conference teams for the 2009 season Thursday. Atteberry earned a spot on the first team. Senior middle hitter Griffin, Hanks, and junior middle Meltzer all earned a spot on the all-MAC second team.
"This year our team had great chemistry. On and off the court we had a common goal," Atteberry said. "We pushed everyone to get better and held each other accountable."
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