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Saturday, November 4
Buffalo, N.Y.
4 p.m.
University at Buffalo
22-5,12-3MAC
3
vs
0
Miami (OH)
5-22,1-14MAC
1
2
3
F
Miami (OH)
23
23
17
0
Buffalo
25
25
25
3
Bulls Sweep RedHawks on Senior Night to Clinch MAC Tournament Berth
11/4/2023 8:21:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
BUFFALO, N.Y. – The University at Buffalo women's volleyball team (22-5, 12-3 MAC) defeated the Miami (OH) RedHawks (5-22, 1-14 MAC) in straight sets, 25-23, 25-23, 25-17. With the win, the Bulls clinched their spot in the upcoming MAC Tournament. This marks the first time since the 2018 and 2019 seasons that the Bulls will go to the MAC Tournament in back-to-back seasons. Last season, UB qualified for their first post season tournament in Division I program history as they participated in the NIVC.
Despite sweeping the RedHawks, it was a tight match throughout. Miami hit .358 to UB's .378 as the offenses could do no wrong. The Bulls racked up 48 kills, 15 of which came from Katrin Trebichavska, good for a match high. Abby Leigh added 11 kills and three blocks. Mandy Leigh continued to keep the offense rolling as she finished with 38 assists, an average of 12.67.
The nation's leader in hitting percentage, Courtney Okwara, finished the day with five kills on 10 attempts and no errors.
In both the first and second sets, the Redhawks outhit the Bulls with attack percentages of .552 and .400. Unlike last night, UB found themselves in a few deficits throughout the match, including a 3-0 hole to start. After the media timeout, the Bulls were down six at 17-11. That marked Miami's largest lead in the match. UB outscored the RedHawks 14-6 to take the set, 25-23. M. Leigh had 16 assists on 17 of the Bulls' kills.
In another close set, UB hit a solid .394 and 17 kills in the second set. The Bulls' largest lead reached six at 22-16, but the RedHawks got within one of the Bulls off a 5-0 run. Emma Gielas put a stop to the Miami run with a kill, but the RedHawks tied the set at 23. Trebichavska and A. Leigh put the set away with back-to-back kills.
The Bulls were solid in the third set as they limited Miami to hit just .167. UB forced 11 total errors in the set, five of which were off the serve. After being tied at six, the Bulls led the rest of the way. A solid 6-0 run in the middle portion of the set gave the Bulls a 14-7 lead. Maurine Calande had great serves on the run which forced tough RedHawk receptions. UB won the set 25-17 to close out the match.
"Getting back-to-back sweeps is exactly how you would want senior weekend to go," stated Head Coach Scott Smith. "This team, especially this group of seniors have worked so hard for all of this success. Tonight, showed the team's grit, and ability to buckle down and execute when their backs are against the wall. Miami (OH) came into this match fired up and really made us work for it, I think that is a testament to Coach [Carolyn] Condit's legacy and impact on the program. We will miss her across the net in conference play and I wish her all the best as she moves on to new things."
The Bulls are back in action on Friday at Bowling Green for a weekend series. The regular season will conclude with a weekday match at Akron on Tuesday, Nov. 14.
MAC STANDINGS
1. Western Michigan, 15-0
2. BUFFALO, 12-3
3. Ball State, 11-4
4. Ohio, 10-5
5. Toledo, 105
6. Bowling Green, 8-7
7. Central Michigan, 8-7
8. Akron, 6-9
9. Northern Illinois, 6-9
10. Kent State, 2-13
11. Miami (OH), 1-14
12. Eastern Michigan, 1-14
Despite sweeping the RedHawks, it was a tight match throughout. Miami hit .358 to UB's .378 as the offenses could do no wrong. The Bulls racked up 48 kills, 15 of which came from Katrin Trebichavska, good for a match high. Abby Leigh added 11 kills and three blocks. Mandy Leigh continued to keep the offense rolling as she finished with 38 assists, an average of 12.67.
The nation's leader in hitting percentage, Courtney Okwara, finished the day with five kills on 10 attempts and no errors.
In both the first and second sets, the Redhawks outhit the Bulls with attack percentages of .552 and .400. Unlike last night, UB found themselves in a few deficits throughout the match, including a 3-0 hole to start. After the media timeout, the Bulls were down six at 17-11. That marked Miami's largest lead in the match. UB outscored the RedHawks 14-6 to take the set, 25-23. M. Leigh had 16 assists on 17 of the Bulls' kills.
In another close set, UB hit a solid .394 and 17 kills in the second set. The Bulls' largest lead reached six at 22-16, but the RedHawks got within one of the Bulls off a 5-0 run. Emma Gielas put a stop to the Miami run with a kill, but the RedHawks tied the set at 23. Trebichavska and A. Leigh put the set away with back-to-back kills.
The Bulls were solid in the third set as they limited Miami to hit just .167. UB forced 11 total errors in the set, five of which were off the serve. After being tied at six, the Bulls led the rest of the way. A solid 6-0 run in the middle portion of the set gave the Bulls a 14-7 lead. Maurine Calande had great serves on the run which forced tough RedHawk receptions. UB won the set 25-17 to close out the match.
"Getting back-to-back sweeps is exactly how you would want senior weekend to go," stated Head Coach Scott Smith. "This team, especially this group of seniors have worked so hard for all of this success. Tonight, showed the team's grit, and ability to buckle down and execute when their backs are against the wall. Miami (OH) came into this match fired up and really made us work for it, I think that is a testament to Coach [Carolyn] Condit's legacy and impact on the program. We will miss her across the net in conference play and I wish her all the best as she moves on to new things."
The Bulls are back in action on Friday at Bowling Green for a weekend series. The regular season will conclude with a weekday match at Akron on Tuesday, Nov. 14.
MAC STANDINGS
1. Western Michigan, 15-0
2. BUFFALO, 12-3
3. Ball State, 11-4
4. Ohio, 10-5
5. Toledo, 105
6. Bowling Green, 8-7
7. Central Michigan, 8-7
8. Akron, 6-9
9. Northern Illinois, 6-9
10. Kent State, 2-13
11. Miami (OH), 1-14
12. Eastern Michigan, 1-14
Team Stats
Miami
UB
Kills
45
48
Errors
11
11
Attempts
95
98
Hitting %
.358
.378
Points
54.0
61.0
Assists
42
42
Aces
4
8
Blocks
5
5
Game Leaders
Kills
15
Aces
1
Blocks
0
Kills
11
Aces
0
Blocks
3
Kills
6
Aces
0
Blocks
1
Kills
5
Aces
0
Blocks
1
Players Mentioned
OH
/ Women's Volleyball
RS
/ Women's VolleyballOH/MB
/ Women's Volleyball
S
/ Women's VolleyballMB
/ Women's VolleyballOH
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