Aug. 6, 2008

This is the first of of a five-part series previewing the 2008 Miami University volleyball season. The RedHawks begin their 2008 campaign at 7 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 29 versus Saint Louis at Millett Hall in the opening match of the 2008 Miami Best Western/Sycamore Inn Classic.

During special seasons, there is always a turning point that seems to define when a team turns the corner and believes they can achieve their goal. For Miami University's volleyball team during the 2007 season, that point came during hard fought back-to-back victories over Western Michigan and Ohio University. The five-set win over Western Michigan provided momentum for a four-set win over No. 17 Ohio in Athens, Ohio. This win snapped the Bobcats' 52-match MAC winning streak and 46 match home winning streak, the second longest in the country at that time.

From that moment, the RedHawks surged to a 13-3 Mid-American Conference record and a No. 3 seed in the conference tournament. After three-set sweeps in the quarterfinals and semifinals over Central Michigan and Eastern Michigan, respectively, No. 15 Ohio stood in the path of Miami's goal - their route to the NCAA Tournament. Miami stunned the nationally-ranked Bobcats in three sets to earn the NCAA Tournament berth and their seventh NCAA appearance overall.

With 11 letterwinners returning from last year's strong finish, Miami looks to build on last season by making a stronger run for the MAC regular-season title and earning another trip to the NCAA Tournament. 2007 MAC Coach of the Year, Carolyn Condit, returns a group of accomplished players highlighted by 2007 MAC Freshman of the Year Michele Metzler, two-time all-MAC performer Emily Schroeder, 2007 First-Team All-MAC selection Megan Griffin, 2007 Second-Team All-MAC selection Andrea Atteberry and 2007 MAC All-Tournament Team honoree Alex Ratcliff.

"Each year I intentionally design our pre-MAC competitive schedule to test our athletes in every way possible to better position Miami to earn regional and national recognition, while fully preparing ourselves for the top competition we will contend with weekly in our conference race," Condit said. "We have an opportunity this fall to face new opponents from out of the region for the first time and to defeat other good teams within our region who were highly ranked in 2007."

"I believe this Miami team deserves credit for the team chemistry and positive learning environment they created for themselves last year," Condit said. "I have no doubt they will continue to improve on these as they develop their skills and court intensity. They have a full understanding of what it takes and I believe they will be ready to tackle our rugged schedule with a strong competitive mindset."

On Friday, Aug. 8, part II of Miami's 2008 season preview will focus on the outside hitter position.