DaytonDailyNews.com

OXFORD — All this week, Miami University volleyball fans will be chanting something Ohio State fans have been saying for years.

"Beat Michigan."

That's because on Sunday, as part of the NCAA women's volleyball tournament selection show which was televised on ESPNU, the Mid-American Conference tournament champion RedHawks learned they'll be making a trip to Ann Arbor, Mich., this weekend to play the Wolverines in a first-round matchup.

Miami coach Carolyn Condit says her team will be familiar with Michigan, and the other two teams in the Ann Arbor bracket— Illinois State and Colorado State. The RedHawks (20-10) played each of those teams this season.

"It's good to know that we know what those teams are about, at least to some degree. And our girls played fairly well against each of them, even though we lost to all three," Condit said.

"What a good learning experience for us. To go back, now that we're a better team, and hopefully give them a better match."

Michigan (22-10) came into Millett Hall in late August and defeated Miami 30-23, 30-22 and 30-28 on its way to winning the Miami Classic.

Seniors Carli Reihman and Jeanna Staun, along with sophomore middle hitter Megan Griffin each said the RedHawks are a stronger team now. Miami closed out its regular season by winning 17 of its final 20 matches, including a three-game sweep of No. 15 Ohio University in the MAC title match on Nov. 18.

Miami will play unranked Michigan at 7 p.m. Friday in Ann Arbor. With a first-round win, they would then play the winner of the No. 20 Illinois State vs. Colorado State game, at 7 p.m. Saturday.

Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2851 or jbombatch@coxohio.com.