By Ben Blanchard, For The Miami Student
Riding the momentum of a three-game win streak, the Miami University faces Western Michigan University in the last game of the regular season this weekend. Miami and WMU are tied for fourth in the Mid-American Conference standings, and their match Saturday could affect who receives the final bye in the MAC Tournament next week.
"We're just super pumped to play Western Michigan," senior middle hitter Jenny Ingle said. "We've taken the fire to practice every single day."
The Red and White (19-9, 11-4 MAC) look to avenge last year's season ending loss to the Broncos.
In the 2014 MAC Tournament, WMU crushed the RedHawks' NCAA Tournament dreams with a come-from-behind 3-2 (21-25, 17-25, 25-13, 25-16, 15-13) victory.
"We're really excited to get some redemption," senior outside hitter Annie Reiswig said.
The match holds extra importance for Ingle and Reiswig, who will be honored in a senior night ceremony.
Sophomore middle blockers Sydney Lemay (316 kills, .283 attack percentage) and Olivia Kofie (247 kills, .180 attack percentage) lead the Broncos.
The RedHawks' offense is heating up at the right time of the year. They turned in their best performance of the season against Akron University on Nov. 6. Throughout the entire match, Miami made six errors and had 42 kills in 88 attempts. The team's .409 attack percentage is its season-best. Against University at Buffalo on Nov. 7, MU had a .347 attack percentage, the second-highest hitting total of the season.
"Our setters did a great job, and it was a total team effort," Condit said. "Our hitters went at it, and they were smart and they protected the ball."
Miami defeated Bowling Green State University 3-1 (25-18, 19-25, 25-10, 28-26) on the road Thursday night. The 'Hawks hit .313 for the match and were led by Ingle, who recorded 13 kills in 15 attempts and did not make a single attack error for a .867 hitting percentage.
The final match of the regular season against WMU begins at 7 p.m. in Millett Hall.