Ending a rollercoaster season filled with dramatic highs and lows, the RedHawks were eliminated from the NCAA tournament after one final thrill ride.

Two match points evaded the Miami University volleyball team as it fell to Middle Tennessee State University in five sets.

"It is just exciting to be here," senior libero Melissa Zenz said. "Our season overall was successful (and) we had some really big wins. Our season was full of ups and downs. It's how you respond to them that matters and I think we did well."

Making their eighth tournament appearance in school history, the RedHawks earned their trip to the big dance via an at-large bid. This marked the first time Miami received an invitation to the NCAA tournament without winning either the MAC regular-season or post-season championship. Miami's only victory in the tournament came in 1998 when the RedHawks won a three setter over the University of Nevada.

The RedHawks built an early 18-10 lead in Friday's opening set behind two service aces and two kills by junior Megan Griffin. A 13-5 Blue Raider run, however, tied the set at 23 all before back-to-back MTSU kills won the set.

Senior Emily Schroeder shredded the Blue Raiders in the second set to even the match. Two kills and three blocks from Schroeder boosted the 'Hawks out to an 8-2 lead. Miami took its largest lead of the frame at 18-9. Once again, however, the Blue Raiders battled back, this time rattling off a 12-2 run to take a 21-20 lead. Miami hung tough, though, and gutted out a 25-23 win behind finishing two more kills and another block from Schroeder.

The story line continued into set three. For the third consecutive set, Miami built a lead only to watch MTSU reel off a long run. Down 17-11, the Blue Raiders rallied to tie the score at 20. Once again the 'Hawks stopped the bleeding, composed themselves and took the set 25-21.

"I don't feel like we played a good match tonight," MTSU coach Matt Peck said. "Our best hitter was negative and there were other players struggling also. We have to be better tomorrow. I think we came out a little nervous and flustered."

Up two sets to one, Miami was controlling the pace of play. Had the 'Hawks been able to close out their 18-10 first set lead, the match would have ended here in a 3-0 Miami sweep.

After playing catch-up in the three opening sets, it was the Blue Raiders' turn to take the early lead in set four. MTSU jumped out on top 11-4 and looked to be cruising toward a fifth set. Completing the role shift, Miami dug out a comeback of its own, using several mini runs to tie the set at 18 all.

The Blue Raiders surged to take a 24-22 lead, giving them double set point. Miami turned aside the raid, however, and pushed to a 26-26 tie. Griffin then spiked a kill to lift the RedHawks one pint away from advancing in the tournament for the second time in school history.

MTSU countered, and then again after Miami forced another set point. A Blue Raider block followed by an incisive service ace won the set 30-28 and forced a decisive fifth set.

Both teams battled back and forth to a 13-13 tie in the final and fateful frame. In the end, the Blue Raiders used a kill followed by a block to bump on to the second round.

"With as poorly as we played," Peck said, "I am very happy with the result. The first round is always the toughest."

Miami ends its season 21-12. During the match, Zenz recorded the 1,468th dig of her career, the most any player has ever posted in a RedHawk uniform.