13-4, 1-0MAC
Miami (OH)
5-9, 0-1MAC
Volleyball Picks Up First Ever MAC Opening Win
9/24/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
BUFFALO, NY – The University at Buffalo volleyball team started Mid-American Conference play on Friday night the same way it ended non-conference play, with a home sweep. The Bulls defeated Miami (OH), 3-0, picking up their first victory over the RedHawks since 2004. The win was also UB's first ever opening up a MAC season. The Bulls improve to 13-4 and 1-0 in conference.
UB took the contest, 25-18, 25-20, 25-20 as the Bulls hit .258, opposed to Miami's .100. The Bulls began the first set taking four of the first five points. Miami came back to take a 6-5 lead, but the Bulls would tie things back up at 9-9. A 9-5 run for the Bulls from there gave them an 18-14 advantage and UB coasted, taking the set 25-18. Three of UB's final four points came on kills from senior Marisa Hornbaker.
The RedHawks took the first two points of the second set, but their lead was short lived as UB scored nine of the next 13 points to take a 9-6 advantage. UB went on to lead by as much as 19-12 in the set, but Miami would close it to within two at 21-19. The Bulls went on to end the set on a 4-1 run, capped off by two kills from senior Kayla Govier.
The Bulls took control early again in the third set, staking themselves to a 20-12 lead before Miami answered back with five straight points. With UB up 20-17, the Bulls recorded the next three points, two coming on kills from freshman Dana Musil. Following two straight Miami points, Hornbaker put UB up 24-19 and following another Miami kill, senior Kristin Bignell ended the match off a pass from fellow classmate Lindsey Schlegel.
"I am just extremely proud of the effort the entire team gave tonight," said head coach Todd Kress. "We came out with the energy and focus needed to beat a good Miami team. We will enjoy this win for a little, but know we have to be ready for Bowling Green tomorrow."
Musil led the way with 12 kills for UB, while Hornbaker had 11 kills and just two errors as she hit .429 for the match. Junior Abby Niekamp and Govier each finished with seven kills. The Bulls, who lead the country in total service aces, added another six to their total, led by three from Musil. Schlegel, who led the Bulls with 34 assists, added two and Hornbaker had one.
Freshman Kelly Svoboda led the way with 10 digs, while Schlegel had eight and Musil added seven. Hornbaker and junior Heather Pyle each added six, while Niekamp and freshman Christine Fritsche each finished with five. Bignell, Niekamp and Govier each finished with two total blocks, while Hornbaker chipped in with one.
UB returns to action tomorrow when it hosts Bowling Green. Match is set for 5:00 pm with Saturday night being Family Night. Kids can attend a free post match clinic with the Bulls while fans can get autographs from the entire 2010 team.
