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MU falls to Buffalo, Akron in first conference matchups

Michael Solomon, Staff Writer

(MICHAEL GRIGGS | The Miami Student)

The Miami University volleyball team hit the road for its first two matches in MAC play, visiting the University at Buffalo Sept. 24 and the University of Akron Sept. 25.

The RedHawks dropped both matches, falling to 5-10 overall and 0-2 in the MAC.

"We didn't play as well as we would have liked," Miami Head Coach Carolyn Condit said. "The road trip was long and tough, but I would have liked to see our young team play a little better. We struggled in a few aspects of the game that we will work on in practice this week to get ready for our next match on Thursday."

The Red and White battled Sept. 24 at Buffalo, but couldn't pull out the win as they lost the match 3-0. Miami hung tough in the first set, but with the score tied at nine early on, the Bulls went on a 9-5 run that gave them control of the game. A couple of Jenn Caylor kills kept Miami close, but Buffalo was able to close out game one 25-18.

Miami got off to a fast start in game two, but another Buffalo run was the key. Miami led early, but the Bulls went on a run that gave them a 17-10 lead and control of the set. Freshman Madison Dodd and junior Amy Raseman brought the RedHawks back within four at 19-23, but the Bulls took the set 25-20.

The 'Hawks got off to a slow start in game three, falling behind early 9-16. Miami went on a run of its own that got within 17-20, but wasn't able to complete the comeback as the Bulls took the game 25-20 and the match 3-0.

After a long ride from Buffalo, the RedHawks got off the bus Saturday night at Akron looking to even up their conference record. Although fighting tough, they were unable to do so as the Zips defeated the 'Hawks 3-0. Miami fell behind early in set one 3-10, but went on their own run to get within three at 9-12. The teams battled back and forth, but the RedHawks would only get as close as 18-23 as they saw Akron take the first game 25-19.

Senior Michele Metzler and junior Cassie Farrell kept Miami close early in game two, but a 13-3 Zips run broke the set open, giving Akron a 23-12 lead. The Zips would close out the set 25-16 and take a two game lead over the RedHawks. Game three was all Akron, as they jumped out to an early 7-1 lead and never looked back. Akron hit a match high 0.471 in game three and took the game 25-12 and the set 3-0.

"This weekend we struggled to find our consistency and we were not able to show how we can play," Raseman said. "We are still working to put together all parts of our game and not let the other team streak. We struggled coming out with a lead early against both teams."

The RedHawks continue MAC play Sept. 30 at Bowling Green State University. The first home conference match will be at 2:30 p.m. Oct. 3 against Northern Illinois University.

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