Sept. 28, 2007

Box Score |  Miami Match Photo Gallery 

ATHENS, Ohio - The No. 17 Ohio volleyball team lost 3-1 (30-23, 29-31, 28-30, 27-30) to Miami at the Convocation Center Friday night, ending the second longest active home-match winning streak in the nation at 47. The last time Ohio (10-4, 2-1 MAC) lost a home match ironically came five years ago to the day on Sept. 28, 2002.

The Bobcats' 64-match winning streak against Mid-American Conference opponents also comes to an end with the loss.

Ohio out-hit Miami (5-7, 2-1) .349 to .293 for the match, but the RedHawks managed to win all the critical points of the final three games to pull off the upset.

Ohio played well in the opening game, connecting on a .556 hitting percentage en route to a 30-23 win. The next three games were much closer, as the two teams nearly went point-for-point.

In the second game Ohio held a 28-25 advantage, until Miami scored four straight points to take the lead at 29-28. Senior outside hitter Stephanie Blackburn (Cincinnati, Ohio) responded for the Bobcats, slamming one of her season-high 23 kills to tie the game. Miami took back the lead with a kill and then tied the match at 1-1 after an Ohio attacking error.

Ohio dropped the third game 30-28, despite out-hitting Miami .250 to .162 in the game. Ohio led 28-27, when Miami once again came from behind, winning the next three points to take a 2-1 advantage.

The Bobcats led 11-10 in the fourth game, when a 5-0 spurt by Miami gave the RedHawks back the momentum. After the run Ohio was never able to regain the lead, getting within one point on several occasions, the final coming at 26-25. Sophomore middle blocker Meghan Simons (Lancaster, Ohio) connected on one of her seven kills in the match to bring the Bobcats within one, but Miami scored four of the final six points to win the game 30-27 and the match.

Blackburn's 23 kills (.410) was a match-high and she added 14 digs for her eighth double-double of the season. Senior middle blocker Melissa Griffin (Whitehall, Mich.) had 15 kills (.333) and five total blocks for the Bobcats and freshman setter Michelle Jantsch (Mission Hills, Kansas) posted the first double-double of her career with 30 assists and 10 digs. Sophomore outside hitter Ellen Herman (Toledo, Ohio) had 13 kills and five digs in her first match back, after missing the last three with an ankle injury.

Miami was led by Megan Griffin with 15 kills on a .375 hitting percentage.

Ohio's 47-match home winning streak ranks as the 13th longest in Division I history.

The Bobcats take the court at the Convocation Center against Bowling Green tomorrow, Saturday, Sept. 29 at 6:30 p.m. Ohio is attempting to break the volleyball attendance record for the state of Ohio. The current record is 5,403 set by Ohio State.