TOLEDO, Ohio – Toledo women's volleyball recorded a 3-1 victory over Miami (25-23, 20-25, 25-17, 25-15) on Saturday evening at Savage Arena.

The Rockets improved to 17-6 (8-3 MAC) on the season and have won three of their last four matches.

Sophomore Olivia Heitkamp paced the Toledo offense for the sixth consecutive match, recording 13 terminations, including six in the third set, on a .333 clip. Senior Sophie Catalano poured in nine kills and also totaled a .333 hitting percentage.

Four Rockets totaled double-figure digs, led by sophomore libero Grace Freiberger with a team-best 15 digs to go along with two service aces. Senior Macy Medors added 12 digs while redshirt sophomore middle blocker Sierra Pertzborn recorded a career-best 10 digs in addition to six kills and two service aces. Junior Avery Adamski also added 10 digs and four assists.

Redshirt sophomore Kayla Ozanich tallied a career-best eight total blocks to go along with eight kills, while senior setter Kelsey Smith totaled 37 assists and nine digs on the night.

The Rockets totaled 10 team blocks, marking the third consecutive match this season with double-figure blocks and the 11th contest this season with 10-plus blocks.

Quoting Head Coach Brian Wright
"Our defensive mentality and effort was fantastic tonight and improved as the match went on. Even when playing the same team back-to-back, the matches are going to feel different and both teams are going to make adjustments. I liked the way we stayed locked in and competitive throughout. Brooke (Naniseni) brought a big spark of energy off the bench - everyone on this team is always ready to contribute and I'm proud of them for that. The crowd was amazing and the energy in Savage was electric. Just a short trip south on Tuesday that we hope a lot of our fans can make it out to!"

Key Moments

• The Rockets jumped out to an early 5-1 lead in the first set. An ace from Sierra Pertzborn kept Toledo in front, 12-5, before a 3-0 run by the RedHawks put them within three, 13-10. Kills from Olivia Heitkamp and Pertzborn put UT ahead by five, 20-15, before Miami responded with three-straight points to cut down the lead, 20-18. A kill from Kayla Ozanich put the Rockets at set point, 24-20, and Toledo took the set victory with a Miami service error.
• A service ace from Jessica Costlow and a kill from Heitkamp put Toledo in front early in the second set, 4-1. Miami responded with a 6-1 run of its own to take a slight advantage, 7-5. The RedHawks extended their lead, 11-7, before a 6-1 run by the Rockets, highlighted by an ace from Kelsey Smith tied the match, 17-17. Miami went ahead by two, 19-17, and finished the set with a 4-0 run to take the victory.
• Kills from Smith and Heitkamp gave Toledo the early lead in the third set, 5-3. After trading points, UT used a 5-0 surge to extend its advantage, 13-9. Smith and Ozanich combined for a block to keep the Rockets in front by six, 18-12, and a solo block from Smith extended the lead, 22-14. A kill from Brooke Naniseni put Toledo at set point, 24-16, and a termination from Catalano secured the set win.
• The Rockets began the fourth set with a 3-0 lead thanks to a block from Heitkamp and Ozanich. The RedHawks tied the match, 3-3, and both sides went back-and-forth before a kill from Catalano and Miami error put UT in front by three, 14-11. A 6-0 run by the Rockets extended their lead, 21-14, and an error by the RedHawks put Toledo at match point, 24-15. A solo block from Ozanich secured the match win.

Up Next
Toledo will compete in the second installment of the Battle of I-75, traveling to Bowling Green on Tuesday, Oct. 28. First serve is set for 6:00 p.m. with coverage on ESPN+.

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