The Miami University volleyball team looks to improve its record as it faces Mid-American Conference (MAC) West opponents Eastern Michigan University and Central Michigan University Thursday and Friday. The RedHawks (9-9, 1-5 MAC) are facing teams that are below .500 in conference play this weekend and are 1-0 against such teams.
Eastern Michigan (11-10, 1-5 MAC) is looking to snap a four-match losing streak when it arrives in Oxford Thursday. Sophomore outside hitter Stacey Perinar and sophomore libero Corynne Smith were honorable mentions for MAC Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week, respectively, for their performances last weekend against Central Michigan and No. 18 Ohio University. Perinar had 11 kills, two aces and only six attack errors against the Bobcats while Smith tallied 39 digs in the two matches, with 20 of them coming against Ohio.
The Eagles are top in the MAC in digs per set with 16.18 and service aces with 127, but the Eagles offense has a .186 hitting percentage. They are 0-1 against MAC East opponents and 0-2 in road matches in conference play.
Central Michigan (8-10, 2-4 MAC) has lost four of its last five matches entering this week. The Chippewas have an honorable mention MAC Player of the Week of their own in junior outside hitter Kaitlyn McIntyre. She recorded 29 kills against Eastern Michigan and Kent State University. McIntyre is also first in the conference with 4.16 kills per set.
The Chips also have the MAC leader in assists in senior setter Kelly Maxwell and her 11.59 assists per set. Senior libero Jenna Coates' 5.60 digs per set is good enough for second in the conference.
CMU is second in the MAC with 14.27 kills per set and 13.54 assists per set as a team. Central Michigan is 0-1 against MAC East teams this season.
"Central has a scrappy defense," assistant coach Jenni Hirneisen said. "[On offense] they like to run a slide play and a double quick so we need to experience these in practice so our outsides know how to guard them. Eastern runs a 6-2 just like we do with their setter being a hitter on the right side. Both teams are good teams and it will be a challenge at home."
Miami is hoping to right the ship after dropping eight of its last nine matches and has the pieces to do so. Redshirt sophomore middle hitter Jenny Ingle has a MAC-best .397 hitting percentage to go with 2.75 kills per set, 15 solo blocks and 55 block assists. Freshman middle hitter Paige Hill is second in the conference with 1.43 blocks per set and fifth with 0.31 service aces per set. Junior setter/outside hitter Meg Riley and freshman setter Krista Brakauskas facilitate the offense to the tune of a combined 10.50 assists to go with Riley's 2.45 digs per set.
The RedHawks are fourth in the MAC with 2.45 blocks per set and fifth with 94 service aces. They are 0-1 against MAC West teams this season.
"[This week in practice] we're working on our own patterns and getting adjusted to what the other teams' patterns are," sophomore outside hitter Annie Reiswig ) said. "We're working on our servicing and our passing to give our outside hitters some better shots."
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The RedHawks host Eastern Michigan 7 p.m. Thursday and Central Michigan 7 p.m. Friday.
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