The Miami University volleyball team extended its losing streak to six games this weekend in the team’s first road trip of the Mid-American Conference (MAC) season, dropping decisions to the University at Buffalo and the University of Akron.

“We have yet to figure out how to play consistently game after game,” Head Coach Carolyn Condit said. “This weekend we had problems with our assists and our young middle combination is struggling with things. All we need to do is just keep pushing.”

The RedHawks (5-12, 0-4 MAC) made the trip to Buffalo, NY (7-8, 1-2 MAC) only to continue their skid by being swept 0-3. However, the Red and White put up a valiant fight, dropping sets that could have been won (25-27, 23-25 and 23-25).

Key contributors for the ’Hawks included sophomore outside hitter/setter Meg Riley and senior outside hitter Amy Kendall who recorded double-doubles of 12 kills and 11 assists, and 21 assists and 10 digs, respectively. However, Miami only had a hitting percentage of .105.

The Bulls’ junior middle blocker Carissa McKenna was an offensive force, registering 15 kills and a hitting percentage of .440.

The RedHawks then played Akron (9-7, 2-2 MAC) Saturday night, dropping a 2-3 decision (25-23, 22-25, 25-18, 21-25, 8-15). The Zips swapped sets with Miami in the first four sets, then jumped out to an 8-2 lead in the clinching set and never looked back, powering their way to a match win with a hitting percentage of .412 in the final set. The Red and White continued its offensive struggles Akron recorded more kills, assists and digs than Miami, and outhit them .202 to .146.

Redshirt senior middle blocker Tina Dimitrijevs, junior outside hitter Alex Cocklin and senior middle blocker Paiton Twitty, who accounted for 50 of Akron’s 68 kills, powered the Zips.

Riley continued to assert her dominance for the ’Hawks with a near triple-double of 18 kills, 19 assists and nine digs, marking her 12th double-double of the year.

“Meg has been an effective hitter down the stretch for us,” Condit said.

The losses over the weekend put the Red and White in an even larger hole in the MAC East Division. Miami is in last place and is the only team without a MAC win this season.

“We fought as a team and we know that if we work hard together this week and in the weeks to come it will be a great season for us,” Kendall said of the weekend’s matches.

Miami continues its road stand Thursday when it faces Bowling Green State University. However, the ’Hawks have yet to win on the road this season.

The Red and White return to Oxford Oct. 6 to face Northern Illinois University.